German Awards - Service Award 1. Class for non-commissioned officers Buckle 1876

On January 21, 1876, King Ludwig II established new service awards in 3 classes for non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the form of a buckle. They were to be proof of the king's high assessment of the faithful and, in particular, going beyond the statutory duty of serving non-commissioned officers and soldiers. The 1st class for non-commissioned officers consisted of a gold-plated buckle and was awarded for a full 21 years of service. The 2nd grade was granted after 15 years of service and consists of a silver or silver-plated clasp. 3rd grade for 9 years is a black iron clasp with silver edging.
Awards for service in the Bavarian army were first established by King Max I on January 13, 1816. The award was a veteran's shield and was awarded to non-commissioned officers and soldiers for 40 and 24 years of service in the Bavarian army. The service life by that time was indicated by white stripes (chevrons) on the upper sleeve of the uniform. Every 6 years it was joined by a strip. So, at the age of 18, the soldier had 3 stripes on his forearm. After that, signs of veterans on a red cloth were awarded. On March 03, 1865, King Ludwig II established new service awards (seniority marks) in cruciform form for 40 and 24 years, which were now also awarded to officers and military officials. After the establishment in 1876 of service awards for non-commissioned officers and soldiers, crosses were reserved only for officers and military officials. Source: J. Nimmergut, German Orders and Badges of Honor until 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Rectangular clasp of hollow embossed gilded silver sheet with raised smooth edge. The inside is fine grained and matte. On the reverse side is a wide strip of gilded copper alloy, through which the tape passed. Tie is applied on plate connected with tape. Horizontal soldered pin.

Front side:

• On a fine-grained background rises the letter - L. - and the Roman number 2 - II. -.

Downside:

• The tape is sewn over a 35 mm high sheet metal strip. Horizontal pin.

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