Germany Awards - Silesian Badge 1st Class with Swords and Wreath

This badge of honor with swords and a wreath (oak leaves) was established by a retired lieutenant general after the start of the 3rd Polish uprising on June 1, 1921. Höfer donated. The Silesian Eagle, contrary to the first series of awards, was no longer awarded as a sign of parole, but as a reward for bravery. Since many fighters already owned the Silesian Eagle of 1918/19, a special additional decoration had to be introduced. Groups North and South then arbitrarily awarded swords to the Silesian Eagle to express a character of bravery. The Central Directorate of S.S.O.S. initially allocated only oak leaves. Later swords were also awarded. Subsequently, many variations of the Silesian eagle arose, but they do not represent gradation or class division. Both classes were worn with swords, with oak leaves, or with oak leaves and swords. Since, as before, the badge of honor had to be paid by the borrower himself, there are many different options for execution from different manufacturers. The design of the badge of honor was developed by the Breslavl sculptor Professor Theodor von Gozen. It was awarded to all fighters involved in the defense of the Silesian homeland in 1918 and 1919. This award consisted of 2 classes. 2nd class for 3 months of service and 1st class for 6 months of service in this unit. With a few exceptions, 2nd class can also be awarded to civilians if they have earned protection and have resided in Silesia. 1st class was not awarded to civilians. In 1933, the "Silesian Eagle" in its original form, without swords and oak leaves, was recognized as a state award. Other forms were subject to a ban on wearing. The exact number of the two classes is unknown. Several thousand honorary badges of both classes were awarded. Source: Ingo G. Harke, Awards of the German Volunteer and Volunteer Forces 1918-1921. and their successor organizations, 2019.

A sign in the form of a standing eagle made of silver-plated bronze, with his head to the right. The obverse is black enameled and silver burgundy. The back side is smooth. At the back is a vertical pin with a mating hook. The requirements were removed.

Front side:

• On the chest is a silver-plated crescent, in the center of which is a cross.
• The legs rest on a curved, silver-plated ribbon with the inscription: - FOR - SILESIA -.
• An open wreath of left laurel and right oak foliage is superimposed between the crescent and the font ribbon.
• Two silver-plated swords crossed in the center are laid on the wreath.

Downside:

• Smooth and blackened. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.
• Distributes 5 stop rivets.
• .

Front side: Silesian badge 1st class with swords and wreath

Reverse: Silesian badge 1st class with swords and wreath

Established:

June 16, 1919 General Command VI. Army Corps
June 1, 1921 Oak Leaf Foundation

Awarded:

1921

Data:

• Material: silver-plated bronze, enamel
• Size: 32mm x 42mm
• Weight: 17.2g

estimated collector price:

250 – 270 €

OEK Number:

3302