Germany Awards - Silver Medal of Merit with Ribbon Buckle for Decades of Fire Service

A special medal "For Merit" with a belt for many years of fire service was established on June 28, 1905 by Prince Georg von Schaumburg-Lippe. Credit must be given to the merits of the Principality fire crews in putting out the fires. The awards were presented to volunteer firefighters who have provided faithful and useful services for at least 25 years. As an exception, members of on-duty firefighters may also be awarded if they have long and faithfully served or otherwise made money fighting a fire. Proposals were sent to the ministry. Contrary to the charter and rules, the medal was worn back to front.

Round silver medal with raised edges. Above is a movably attached 5-arched, fed princely crown. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple. An elongated silver band buckle is applied to the band.

Front side:

In the
• center is a large nettle leaf with a five-petalled linden rose.
• Buckle with a wide, raised frame. Angles are set inwards. Inside and outside are narrow, raised edges.
• There are small floral ornaments in the corners.
At the
• top of the frame, the font rises - XXV - JAHRES -.
• At the bottom of the frame is an enlarged font - SERVICE TIME -.
In
• a surrounded fine-grained field in the center is a fire helmet.
• Behind him are two fire axes, two obliquely laid ladders and a tied rope or hose under the helmet.
In
• the upper corners there are two oak deciduous branches with a head.

Downside:

A
• short distance from the edge is a dense oak-leafy wreath with fruits, below with a double loop.
• The wreath consists of 5 large groups of leaves on the left and right each with acorns in between.
• In the included field, the enlarged 4-line font is FOR -/- FIDELITY -/- AND -/- MERIT -.
• Buckle with a jumper, or as here with a needle on the tape.

Tape:

• blue 40 mm wide, white edges 1.5 mm, red side stripes 11 mm.

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