German Awards - Service Award 1. Class for 15 years 1913

Military awards for non-commissioned officers and soldiers were awarded from 1913 on the Prussian model as a cross and medals. The order was given by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig on July 30, 1913. The insignia for seniority before this had the shape of a buckle and were awarded in 3 stages or classes. 3rd class, an iron band buckle, was granted after 10 years of service. The 2nd class was a silver-rimmed iron buckle and was awarded after 15 years of faithful and obedient service. 1st class was completely made of silver. In 1871, this first form of buckles, according to the military convention with Prussia, was replaced by buckles with other year numbers of 21, 15 and 9 years. In 1913, the form was changed to the current one. Classes were now assigned after 15, 12 and 9 years of service. The insignia of the 1st class, like the Prussian model, was a cross, made, however, of gilded white metal.

A cross made of gilded white metal with smooth cross-shaped sleeves. The boundaries are bordered by three lines. Front and back with embossed middle shield. On top is a soldered, ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The central shield with a royal crown is surrounded by a round recessed edge.

Downside:

• The central shield with the Roman numeral 15-XV is surrounded by a round recessed border.
• Perpendicular thicker strokes are cross-hatched.

Tape:

red 36 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes white 8 mm.

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