German Awards - Silver Medal for 25 years in the Civilian Army

The medals for service in the civilian army of the Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg were established on January 15, 1865 by a decision of the Senate. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of the Civil Army. Gold medals for 50 years, in very small numbers, and silver medals for 25 years of service were awarded.
The civilian army was created during the liberation wars against Napoleon and fought for the return of the Hanseatic city. Later, the civilian army was also involved in the fight against a major urban fire in 1842.
The first awards were presented in 1839 in Hamburg. These, in addition to chevrons for 15 and 10 years of service, also included a gold cross for 25 years of officer service and a silver cross for 20 years for all other military personnel. In 1858, service awards were established for non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
They were awarded for 20, 15 and 10 years of service. The Military Convention with Prussia of October 1, 1867 abolished independent service awards. The civilian army was dissolved in 1868. The exact number of awards is unknown. However, medals are very rare. The separation of the front and back parts is not clearly understood.

High oval medal made of silver with a raised, stepped rim. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Along the edge is a wide descriptive ring bounded inward by a raised line.
In the
• upper part, between 2 5-ray stars, the inscription increases:
• - HAMBURGER - CITIZEN - - - MILITARY -. In the lower part, smaller and 2-row:
• - DONATED -/- D.-15.- JANUARY - 1865 -.
In
• a surrounded midfield, a cross with figured cross-shaped hands rises on a flat background
and
• round medallion. Cross arms and medallion with wide, raised edges.
In the
• medallion, the coat of arms of Hamburg is enlarged.

Downside:

In
• center is an oval shield with a raised, inwardly graduated edge.
• It has a large Roman numeral 25 - XXV - with a thick and thin stroke each.
• There is an open wreath between the rim and the shield from above, tied with a loop from below.
• It consists on the left of laurel leaves and on the right of oak leaves of 4 groups of leaves.

Tape:

35 mm wide by half red/white

.