German Awards - Badge of Merit during the Water Disaster of 1882/1883.

The badge of merit during the water disaster was established on February 24, 1883 by the Grand Duke Ludwig IV. donated. From November 1882 to January 1883, there was a hundred-year flood in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Rhine and Main led to extreme flooding which led to much flooding and destruction. Impressed by the scale of the disaster and tireless assistants, the Grand Duke decided to make a confession. Men who were in a hurry to help were awarded. Either through fearlessness and perseverance in strengthening, supplementing and defending dams, or under their own threat of saving people and property of fellow citizens threatened by water. Other merits related to helping rescuers were also noted. The Badge of Honor was awarded to all segments of the population, regardless of class and profession. A prerequisite was only merit in the water supply of 1882-1883. The stamp of the front sides is attributed to the court coin engraver Christian Schnitzspahn. He died in 1877. The reverse is accepted by the Common Badge of Honor for saving from mortal danger. The Hessian state ministry was responsible for awarding the prize, which requested lists from mayors through district offices. The servicemen participating in it, at the suggestion of Prince Henry of Hesse and near the Rhine, were represented as division commanders, as well as awarded. After appropriate verification, the Order Office assumed the award of the Badge of Honor. The badge of honor was awarded a diploma with the handwritten signature of the Grand Duke. By Foundation Day, 187 medals were awarded. Another 6 awards took place from September to November 1883. A total of 193 awards. Foreigners were awarded 36 medals, mostly Prussian soldiers. The award was given to a woman. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1997.

Round silver medal with raised border. On top is a soldered eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Along the edge is a wreath of left laurel foliage and right oak foliage, tied from below with a double loop.
• A wide wreath with fruits consists of 7 groups of leaves on each side.
In
• the surrounded field, a large letter - L - on top with a 5-ironing crown.
• Including annual - 1882 -/- 83 -. Below is a central reinforced decorative line.

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wreath of left laurel foliage and right oak foliage, tied from below with a double loop.
• A wide wreath with fruits consists of 7 groups of leaves on each side.
• In the nested field, 5-line, raised font: - FOR -/- RESCUE -/- OFF. -/- LIFE -/- DANGER -.

Tape:

• 38 mm ponceaurot with sky blue side stripes 2 mm.

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