German Awards - Service Award 1. Buckle class for 21 years

These service awards in the form of buckles were established by military convention with Prussia on June 8, 1871 by Grand Duke Ludwig III. introduced. They replaced the awards awarded until then in the form of a buckle. They were established on 26 September 1849 by Grand Duke Ludwig III. for non-commissioned officers and soldiers and are equal in size and shape. Years of service and material have changed. The first class is now gilded and was awarded after 21 years of loyal service. The old service award was silver and was given after 20 years. Grade 2 was previously a silver framed iron buckle, now all silver and continued to be awarded after 15 years. Grade 3 remained a black painted iron buckle, now awarded after 9 years rather than 10 years.

Rectangular gold-plated bronze buckle. At the back is a pinned metal strip. Between them, an order ribbon was pulled and sewn to the back of a metal plate. There is a horizontal pin on the metal plate.

Front side:

• Gilded buckle with raised, polished edges.
• The enclosed field is finely pierced and carries a embossed polished font:
• - 21 - service - years -.

Downside:

• An order ribbon is sewn over the tin strip.
In
• a horizontal position - a pin.