German Awards - Service Award 2nd Class 1913

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. On January 21, 1876, King Ludwig II. established new service awards in 3 classes for non-commissioned officers and soldiers in buckle uniforms. Service life was reduced to 21 years for 1st class, 15 years for 2nd class and 9 years for 3rd class. The service award shown here was instituted on 30 August 1913 by Prince Regent Luitpold. Now it consisted of a cross as 1. 15 years and 2 medals for 12 and 9 years of service to 2nd and 3rd grades. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. 1, 1997. 

Round medal made of light yellow tombac with a border. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• In the center to the edges is the image of the service award cross of the 1st class.
• Between the cruciform sleeves: top left - FAITHFUL, top right - SERVICES, bottom left - UNDER - bottom right - FLAG.

Downside:

• Central in a cross-tied oak leafy wreath with Roman 12-XII -.
• On the edge of the inscription: at the top - SERVICE AWARD - at the bottom - II. CLASS -.

Tape:

• 35 mm wide, white edges 2 mm, side stripes of light blue/white color 2 mm/3 mm, central stripes of light blue color 20 mm.

Photos of military antiques Kögl www.mkoegl.de

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