German Awards - 1928 Fire Service Cross

The Bavarian state government of the Free State established this Fireman's Cross on 1 February 1928. This was in the 1901 Fire Cross tradition. The award was given for outstanding service in extinguishing fires or especially outstanding actions at the site of a fire. The old embossed form or still existing cross bodies were used for manufacture. The medallions were redesigned and released separately. They are made in an oval shape of the honorary sign of the fire department. The Cross of Merit could be awarded to members of voluntary fire brigades, as well as professional firefighters. They received a cross on a red carmoisin ribbon. The award ended in 1933. According to Werner Bergman, only 136 crosses were awarded between 1929 and 1933. Indication in Nemmergut, German orders and badges of honor until 1945, vol. I, 364 awards are not true. Jacob Reader is listed as the manufacturer. Crosses or a form of coinage from 1901 derive from Fa. Gebrüder Hemmerle in Munich, which made the 1901 crosses. Source: Gert Efler, German Fire Honour Badge 1802 - now, 1988

Gilded bronze cross. The ends of the crosspiece are slightly curved inwards. On cruciform shoulders at a short distance wide, smooth and raised edging. The inner side of the cruciform sleeves is deepened and fine-grained. Front and back with a raised, oval middle medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a soldered eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The medallion is oval with a raised and twisted border inside.
• The central fire helmet with straps, surrounded by 2 light laurel branches intersecting from below.
• Among the crossed stems, one small - U -.

Downside:

• The medallion is oval with a raised and twisted border inside.
• On a smooth midfield, 3-line font increases:
• - FOR -/- FIRE -/- MERIT -.
• Below it is a decorative line with a dot in the center.

Tape:

Tape 1 of the volunteer fire department: 38 mm wide, 7 light blue stripes of 4 mm, between them white dividing stripes of 1.5 mm.

Volume 2 Professional firefighter: 38mm wide, dark red.

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