German awards - Cross for 50 years of service of non-commissioned officers

On July 6, 1841, the Senate of the Free City of Frankfurt established service award crosses after 50 years of military service. A gold cross for officers and a silver cross for non-commissioned officers were established. The award was to be many years of loyal military merit. The officer's cross was made of gold and was equal in design to the non-commissioned officer's, made of silver. Only one cross was erected at a time. The gold cross for the officers was made by gold miner Johannes Wiersing in Frankfurt. The silver cross was made by Hessenberg & Co. from Frankfurt. The cross for officers was awarded only 2 times. On July 6, 1841, Colonel Karl Philip Diken was awarded the cross. After the death of the latter on March 20, 1856, the cross was returned. The 2nd creation was granted to Colonel Wilhelm Hofmann on October 9, 1845. The cross shown here for non-commissioned officers was awarded only 1 time. Sergeant and burgomaster-ordinance Heinrich Jung received a cross in silver on May 16, 1845. This cross can no longer be found, so it disappeared. The picture shows a high-quality replica in silver. These service awards with 2 or 1 awards are the rarest of what has been awarded as service awards. The original is not on the collection market. High quality embossing is also rare and provides a good 3-digit price.

Eight-pointed cross made of silver. The transverse shoulders are only slightly beveled towards the center with thin raised edges. Front and rear with a round central shield. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder, a wide, grooved ear is soldered. Inside it hangs a Gothic crown. Above is a ball eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Round median shield with raised edge, consisting of 23 oak leaves.
In
• the surrounded field on the left is a crowned Frankfurt eagle.
• On finely divided cross-shaped sleeves embossed embossed font: above - L - (50),
• Right - IAHRE -, lower (head) - TREUER -, left - SERVICES -.

Downside:

• Round median shield with raised edge, consisting of 23 oak leaves.
In
• a surrounded field, a year - 1840 - on a smooth vaulted background.
• The cruciform arms are finely indented.

Tape:

red 36 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes white 6 mm.

Photos courtesy of Arnold Auction House, Frankfurt/Main.
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