German Awards - 1888 Salvation Medal (2nd coinage)

The medal was established on May 25, 1888 by Prince Voldemar. Prior to that, such rescuers were awarded the medal "For Merit." Individuals were awarded who, at the risk of their own lives, decisive and courageous behavior, saved the lives and property of other people or contributed to the rescue with extraordinary efforts even in case of failure. The award should be a constant reminder and incentive to follow. Medals were subject to return. The medal was issued in 3 versions. The first was made by Karl Busch in Hanover in 1888 with the brand of Emil Weigand. On the front and back, the abbreviation - E - W is engraved below. The circulation was 10 pieces. From 1902 to 1912, Busch made another 12 pieces with new stamps (Fig.). In this version, the letters - E - W - are absent at the bottom. The back panel is characterized by a little too large - S - when the word is OFF. The medal was somewhat thinner and lighter (thickness 3.15 mm) than the 1st manufactory (thickness 3.75 mm, 25.9 g). The 3rd version (10 pieces) was delivered in 1918 by K. F. Zimmerman from Pforzheim and differs from the 2nd, in turn, in thickness and weight. The medals were only 2.7 mm thick and weighed only about 16 g. The first award took place only at 6.7.1900. In total, only 20 of the 32 rescue medals made were awarded. The document contained a description of the rescue operation. Source: Rainer Schwark, order and badge of honor of the principality of Lippe Detmold 1778-1933, works of the Lipp Land Museum, vol. VI, 2005.

Silver medal with raised border. Above is a soldered spherical eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Along the edge is a wide finely grainy ring of font, bounded inward by a thin line.
It
• has rewriting; - VOLDEMAR - PRINCE - XUR - LIP - below - 1888 -.
• Against a smooth background, an elevated, welded shield with a lippic rose.
• About this big crown. Shield with stepped edges.

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wreath of oak foliage with acorns, tied from below with a double loop.
• The wreath consists of 6 groups of leaves each on the left and right, open from above.
• In the included field, a 4-line enlarged font:
• - FOR -/- RESCUE -/- SHUTDOWN -/- HAZARDS -

Tape:

• blue 35 mm wide.

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