German Awards - Badge of Honor for Saving Human Lives 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 - (Fig. )/- FOR REPEATEDLY SAVING HUMAN LIVES -/- FOR FAITHFUL WORK -/- FOR BRAVERY -. On May 2, 1896, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig determined that the Common Badge of Honor medals for - saving human lives - and - Re-saving human lives - will now be awarded as an independent badge of honor called - Rescue Medal. They are slightly larger than 33.5 mm and lighter than the medals of 1894-1896. Rescue medals made of base metal (spare material) are not known. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Round, silver medal with rim. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

Portrait of Ernst Ludwig looking left
On the edge of the inscription: - ERNST - LUDWIG - GRAND DUKE - VON - HESSEN -

Downside:

Central 5-line inscription: - FOR -/- SALVATION -/- FROM -/- PERSON -/- LIFE -
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:

light blue 35 mm, edges 1 mm, red edge stripes 3 mm.
36 mm, edges white 1 mm, edge stripes light blue/white 3.5 mm, center stripes red/light blue/red, 7/4/7 mm