German Awards - Mecklenburg Warrior Union Membership Badge 1. Form

This sign could be worn by all members of the Mecklenburg Union of Warriors. Permission for this was given by Grand Duke Frederick Franz II. April 14, 1881. The sign was worn on a ribbon loop in national colors - blue, yellow and red. The 1st form of the sign was worn until about 1919. It has letters on the upper cross shoulder - FF - and a crown as insignia of the Grand Duke. After the First World War and the abdication of the princes, this sign also fell on the badge. The association still instituted badges for 25-year and 50-year memberships. For members of the president, the loop had a modified shape. In addition, a cross "For Merit" and a medal "For the Banner" were established for clubs after 25 years.
The Union of Warriors was created on April 25, 1875 in Gustrov. At the time of foundation, 27 local clubs already existed: Boizenburg, Brüel, Crivitz, Dömitz, Gielow, Grevesmühlen, Güstrow, Goldberg, Gnoien, Krakow, Lübthen, Lübz, Malchin, Malchow, Neukalen, Neubrandenburg, Plau, ReHkalen na, Ribnitz, Rostock, Schwerin, Sternberg, Schwaan, Schoenberg, Waren, Wismar and Woldegk. The Mecklenburg Warrior Alliance was a member of the German Warrior Alliance. In 1905, it consisted of 266 clubs with 26,375 members. In 1913, there were 245 clubs with 33,708 members.
The mark was made by various companies. I know Paul Küst in Berlin, H. Rose in Schwerin and Erch. Moll in Gustrow. The reverse of the pin plate bears either the manufacturer's insignia or the mark "Legally Protected/Mecklenburg Warriors Union." Rose is numbered D.R.G.M. (Deutsches Reichs Bewochs Muster) 149964.

A hollow embossed sign made of gilded non-ferrous metal. This is applied with two cotter pins to the ribbon loop in the local colours of light blue, yellow and red and connected to the back plate with an icon.

Front side:

• The sign consists of a wide wreath of laurel leaves with fruits.
• A cross in the form of a Mecklenburg cross was laid on a wreath for military merits of the 1st class.
• On the upper cross shoulder, the letters are raised - FF - (Friedrich Franz) under the crown.
• Across the horizontal cross sleeves rises the inscription: - Meckel.- Krieger - Verband -.
• Between the cross sleeves are 2 crossed down, antique swords.
• Paired rods rest against cruciform shoulders.

Downside:

• The back plate is oval and connected to 2 cotter pins of the sign.
• On it from above - D.R.G.M. 149964 - from below manufacturer - H. ROSE SCHWERIN -.
In
• a horizontal position - a pin with a hook.