German Awards - Service Award 3. Class 1872 buckle

The awards in the form of a buckle were first established on March 3, 1872 by Grand Duke Karl Alexander in 3 classes. The 1st class was a silver gilt buckle and became after 21 years of service, the 2nd class became a silver buckle after 15 years and the 3rd class iron buckle with a silver rim shown here was awarded after 9 years of service. The first military awards were established by Grand Duke Karl Friedrich on November 14, 1834. They were cruciform and awarded equally to officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted men for 10 and 20 years of service. Due to the accession to the North German Union and the military convention concluded with Prussia on June 26, 1867, the service awards were to be accordingly changed and brought in line with Prussian regulations. The officers were awarded the Prussian Cross. Newly created buckles were now assigned to non-commissioned officers and soldiers. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Weimar contingent, Landwehr and gendarmerie were eligible for admission if they conscientiously and without censure fulfilled the required term of service. The war years were doubly numbered. Previously acquired Service Award Crosses 2nd Class for 10 years could be worn alongside new buckles for 15 or 21 years. The 1st class buckle was not awarded to the Knights of the Cross for 20 years. Service awards were subject to return upon promotion and were reissued. After the release, the buckles could be worn further. Due to the duty of return and the small size of the contingent, all buckles are very rare. Upon the assumption of office by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst in 1901, the buckles were updated and provided with the letters -WE before the final change in crosses and medals took place in 1913.

Black iron buckle with silver border. Applied to a sheet covered with tape. The back side with a horizontal pin with a mating hook. (needle is updated or replaced)

Front side:

• The rectangular clasp is bordered by an elevated silver border.
• The blackened inner side is made of iron with a smooth bottom .
• Mittig increases the letters - S. - A. - in the fracture for Karl Alexander.

Downside:

• The tape is pulled through a wide, soldered jumper and sewn up.
• Horizontal needle with mating hooks is soldered on jumper.
• Two soldered cotter pins protect the buckle from sliding.