Original German / Bavarian post WW1 Weimar Republic Fire Service Decoration for 25 Years’ Service (Feuerwehr-Ehrenzeichen für 25 jährige Dienstzeit) / 1922-1928 VERSION (WITH BLACK FINISH), IN VERY NICE CONDITION, GOOD EXAMPLE ON NEW RIBBON, A VERY NICE PIECE WITH GOOD FINISH - SHOWING SOME OXIDATION, THE AWARD IS NOT OFTEN SEEN
HISTORY OF THE AWARD:
Bavarian Fire Service Decoration for 25 years’ Service (Feuerwehr-Ehrenzeichen für 25jährige Dienstzeit) - Oval grey-black light zinc medal with scrolled eyelet for ribbon suspension; the face with a fireman’s helmet within crossed laurel branches, the letter ‘U’ below; the reverse inscribed ‘FÜR 25 JÄHRIGE DIENST-ZEIT’ (for 25 years’ service). The Decoration was instituted by King Ludwig II on 24 June 1884 ‘for those members of a volunteer fire service who have rendered twenty-five years characterised by loyal and zealous service’ (‘für diejenigen Mitglieder einer freiwilligen Feuerwehr, welche durch fünfundzwanzigjährigen treuen und eifrigen Dienst sich ausgezeichnet haben’). Originally of buckle (Schnalle) form, a blackened iron medal was substituted in November 1918; from 1922 to 1928 the medal was produced in grey-black light zinc and at the end of June 1928 silvered ‘neusilber’ (nickel silver) was substituted. The medal was awarded until 1936.