German Awards - 1898 Red Cross 3rd Class Medal in Feinzink

The fine zinc medal shown here is the last variant of the Red Cross 3rd Class Medal, which was awarded at the end of the war from 1917 until 1921.
The Red Cross Medal was established on October 1, 1898 by King and Emperor William II. donated. The foundation was inspired by his wife, Queen Auguste Victoria, who, as the highest defender of the Red Cross societies, wanted to establish an award for the work of societies in peacetime. Until then, merit in the Red Cross during the war was judged by awards such as the Common Badge of Honour or the Order of the Crown with the Red Cross conferred. The Red Cross Medal is awarded in 3 classes. 1st class was a cross, 2nd and 3rd. He has medals in silver and bronze, respectively. The award was given to men, women and virgins who have earned it through years of Red Cross activity or outstanding action. The prerequisite for achieving higher class was lower class ownership. Provided for at least 5 years. The second class could be obtained immediately. In this case, 3rd grade was borrowed.
On December 17, 1900, a decree was issued stating that rings could be awarded for merits in the war. There are 3 known inflections: - South Africa 1899-1900 -, - East Asia 1900/01 - and - South-West Africa 1904/06 -. The so-called half dimensions have a diameter of about 24 mm.

Round medal made of thin zinc (military metal) with an enlarged edge. Top widens the edge with the hole. Through this little ring for the ring of tape.

Front side:

• Geneva cross with 4 Prussian royal crowns at the ends of the cross sleeves
• Geneva cross shaded after small edge inside perpendicular
In the
• corners of the Geneva Cross letters:
• Upper left: - W -, upper right: - R -, lower left: - A -, lower right: - V -.
• (for Wilhelm - Rex - Auguste - Victoria)

Downside:

• On the left, an oak branch of foliage swayed in a semicircle.
In
• four lines the inscription: - FOR -/- MERIT -/- FOR THIS -/- RED CROSS -.

Tape:

30 mm red (light red to dark red), edges 3 mm, black and white edge strips 2.5 mm each.

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