Awards of Germany - Medal "For Military Merit" 1873

The Warrior Merit Medal was established around 1835 by King Frederick William III. Donated. The medal was awarded only to non-Prussian soldiers. The first award took place in 1835 (estimated date of foundation) by the honorary guard of the castle in St. Petersburg, during the visit of the king. In subsequent years, the medal was awarded mainly to Russian soldiers, starting with sergeant major. This first form of the medal had a code on the reverse - F W III. - This form was produced in 2 versions. First embossing has jointly embossed eye and coarser pattern, for example, laurel wreath. The 2nd coinage is thinner and has a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring. In 1872, the reverse stamp was changed to depict Schiffre - W R - and is now equated in design to the military badge of the 2nd class of 1864. Since 1888, the medal was also awarded on a white and black ribbon for non-combatants. The medal was also used as a reward for gallantry in the colonies for colored soldiers and non-commissioned officers who fought for Germany. During World War I, the medal was also awarded to Allied soldiers, as they were not eligible for the Iron Cross. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Along the edge is a laurel wreath tied from below with a loop with fruits.
• In the nested field, 2-line font: - WARRIOR -/- MERIT -.

Downside:

In the
• center are intertwined and decorated letters - W R -.
• Sitting above it is an open five-inch royal crown.

Tape:

• Ribbon 1 fighter: 25 mm black, edges 2 mm, white edge stripes 4 mm each.
• Volume 2 Non-combat: 25 mm white, 2 mm edges, 4 mm black edge strips.

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