German Awards - Silver Medal of Merit for Military Postal Pigeon Breeding, 1st Form 1893

This medal was awarded to breeders and responsible workers in military service who deserved postal pigeon breeding in military service. Transmission of messages using carrier pigeons was common long after the first foundation. This medal was repeatedly extended. Versions of 1893, 1911, 1913 and 1916 are known. The 1st form of 1893 differs from the 2nd form of 1911 mainly by the signature of the stampelschneider E. Weigand F. The 2nd form (the new brand of Otto Schulz) does not have this signature. The 1913 and 1916 editions depict William II on the obverse. In uniform. Versions preceding the head portrait. The medal was awarded in 3 stages of gold, silver and bronze. The gold medal was smaller by about 30 mm, the remaining 40 and 41 mm, respectively. The 1916 medal was made of iron and also had a size of only 30 mm.
The coinage numbers of the 1st form were: 174 pieces in gold, 2625 pieces in silver and 4504 pieces in bronze. Less common is the 2nd form without a stamp cutter. Minting number: 27 pieces in gold, 360 in silver and 620 in bronze.
In 1894, the special importance of carrier pigeons in the Navy was marked by a separate medal "For Merit in Marine Postal Pigeon Breeding."

Round silver medal with raised border.

Front side:

In the
• center is a right-facing portrait of William II.
• Along the edge curved inscription: - WILHELM - II - DEUTSCHER - KAISER -
• Under the neck small print: - E. - WEIGAND - F. -

Downside:

• Along the edge is a wide ring with the inscription:
• - FOR - MERIT - UM - DAS - MILITAIR - CARRIER PIGEON - bottom six-pointed star.
In
• midfield, a mail pigeon flying to the left.
• In the background is the city, on the right is a wall with a pennant on the mast.
• Below the horizontal line are two crossed feathers and the letter - W -.