German Awards - Service Award for Officers

Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel established the order for officers on March 16, 1849. Officers of the standing army, officers of the Ministry of War, officers of the General Staff, adjutants, cadet corps, commandant's offices and gendarmerie of the country were to be awarded. A prerequisite for receiving the award is 25 years of experience in these areas. Officers in the garrison troops and the house of the disabled were excluded. The exception was the already completed 25-year service life before joining the garrison or the house of the disabled. To calculate the years of service, it is established that the war years should be calculated twice. Applications were submitted by higher military authorities for consideration by the Ministry of War. The decision was made personally by the elector. After death, the service reward was subject to return. The design focused on the Prussian service award for officers. The only difference is the modified Namenschiffre - FW I - instead of - FW III - in Prussia. Service awards were made in 3 versions of the material, made of gold, bronze or silver. Most were made of bronze. Golden crosses are known only occasionally. Silver crosses are more common. Due to the small size of the elector and the short lease term, these service awards are very rare. Nothing is known about the manufacturer. After the occupation of Prussia, the elector was included in the Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau in 20.09.1866 and was awarded Prussian service awards. Source: Jörg Nemmergut "German Orders and Insignia until 1945" Volume 1, 1999.

A cross of gilded copper with finely ground cross sleeves. The edges are smooth, polished and raised. Front and rear with a round central shield. A transverse eye with a tape ring is knocked out from above. There is no manufacturer designation.

Front side:

• The edge of the medallion with 2 raised lines is recessed in the center.
In
• a locked, finely indented midfield, the monogram increases - F.- V.-.
• Under it is the Roman 1 - I -, above it is a 5-curved crown.

Downside:

• The edge of the medallion with 2 raised lines is recessed in the center.
In
• a closed, finely indented midfield in the center, the Roman number 25 - XXV increases. -.

Tape:

• raspberry-red 38 mm wide, yellow side stripes 2.5 mm.

Photos of www.Militariasammlung.de

Front: Service award for officers

Reverse: Service Award for Officers

Established:

March 16, 1849 Elector Friedrich Wilhelm

Awarded:

1849 – 1866

Data:

• Material: Bronze gilded
• Size: 37.25mm
• Weight: 19.4g (with tape)

estimated collector price:

290 - 310 € in bronze with gilding
400 - 420 € silver with gilding

OEK Number:

1008