German Awards - Badge of Honor for Military Merit 1894

This medal, first presented by Grand Duke Ludwig II on September 25, 1843, was awarded in 3 periods with a corresponding portrait of the ruler. The first wore a portrait of Ludwig III. since 1849, then a portrait of Louis IV since 1889 and a medal depicted here depicting Ernst Ludwig since 1894, the last ruler. This award was given for services and exceptional achievements. These advantages are distinguished by the inscription on the back. The following inscriptions are known: - FOR MERIT -/- FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE -/- FOR MANY YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE -/- FOR FIFTY YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE -/- FOR SAVING HUMAN LIVES -/- FOR REPEATEDLY SAVING HUMAN LIVES -/
- FOR CONSCIENTIOUS WORK -/- FOR VALOR -/- FOR MILITARY MERIT -. The general honorary badge "For Military Merit" was awarded for merit without direct combat use, but in the area of ​ ​ enemy fire. Merit in the rear could be rewarded if they were acquired in a leadership position in their homeland. By the end of World War I, the silver content was becoming less and less, and since 1918 these medals began to be made of silver-plated military metal. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Round, silver medal with rim. On top is a soldered eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Portrait of Ernst Ludwig looking left
• The inscription turns around the edge: - ERNST - LUDWIG - GRAND DUKE - VON - HESSEN -

Downside:

In the
• center there is an inscription in 3 lines: - FOR - WAR - MERIT -
• below it is a horizontal line pointed at the ends.
• Surrounded by a round wreath connected from below by a loop.
• Oak leaves on the right, bay leaves on the left.

Tape:

• Tape 1 AEZ: light blue 35 mm, edging 1 mm, edging red 3 mm.
• Tape 2 combat: light blue 36 mm, edging 2 mm, edging red 6 mm.

Photos of military antiques www.mkoegl.de

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Obverse: General Badge of Honor for Military Merit 1894

Reverse: General badge of honor for military merit 1894

Established:

September 25, 1843 by the Grand Duke Ludwig II.
Image of Ernst Ludwig from 1894

Awarded:

1915 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Silver
• Size: 33mm
• Weight: about 15

estimated collector price:

50 - 60 € silver
30 - 40 € silver-plated in military metal

OEK Number:

885, 885/1