Awards of Germany - Union of War Volunteers 1870/71

The breastplate presented here was issued as a reduced image of a large, unbearable medal by the Union of War Volunteers of 1870/71. It can be assumed that this is a portable membership badge, because a large medal could not be worn. This sign is still the only known sign of its kind made by the AWES Mint in Berlin, as well as on the back of the brochure. The Grand Medal was established by the Union of War Volunteers 1870/71 in 1902. Emperor Wilhelm II. By the highest decree of December 29, 1902, he approved the provision of the Union for the production of the necessary bronze from the reserves of the military administration. Expenses were paid from the dispositional fund with a common treasury. Production apparently dragged on until 1905. The author of the project is A. M. Wolf. Production was handled by Werner & Söhne in Berlin. The association was founded in 1897 and had about 1,600 members in 1902. The chairman was the land building inspector Wulf from Lankwitz (now Berlin). The association had branches in Berlin, Herfort, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Königsberg, Munich, Münster, Ulm, Cologne-Bonn, Poznan and Danzig. The annual holiday was held on March 22, the emperor's birthday, respectively. The goal of the Union was to bring volunteers closer to each other, educate memory, renew the old brotherhood in arms, love for the emperor and empire, and strengthen the self-awareness and unity of the German people. The annual fee was 3 marks. The union published the "Meditheilungen" as an organ of the union. Only volunteers of the 1870/71 War, who had a bronze commemorative coin of the 1870/71 War, fighters, were included. In addition to combat units, field priests, paramedics, Johanniters, Maltese, and officials could also be admitted if they volunteered. Source: Deutsche Reichsanzeiger 5.12.1898, 23.03.1903, 08.03.1911 and Union membership card.

Round coating of matte bronze copper alloy. Anterior side with a small raised edge. The reverse is smooth with 2 soldered cotter pins for attaching a horizontal brochure. Under it is a two-section black-white-red ribbon.

Front side:

In
• upper part inscription - VERBAND - DER - KRIEGS- - FREIWILLIGER - VON -.
• Central on a pedestal, sitting on the throne Germany with a crown.
In
• his right hand is a scepter with a (Prussian) eagle, in his left is a standing sword.
• On the left is a woman in a robe with a crown, holding a harp on the right.
• To his right stands a man in robes, holding his right hand on a sword and a shield to his right. Two figures from the German side are allegorical depictions of Alsace and Lorraine.
• Small under the pedestal - 1870-1871.

Downside:

• Smooth and bronze. Dissolved 2 cotter pins.
• The brochure is attached using an attached plate.
• On the plate of manufacturers from above - AWES - COIN - from below - BERLIN - SW -

.