Original German States, Saxon-Weimar-Eisenach General Medal of Honor in Silver for Merit 1914 with Sword Clasp. Impressed on rim SILBER 990, with original ribbon.
(Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen in Silber Dem Verdienste 1914 mit Schwerterspange)
The General Decoration of Honor with the inscription on the back - DEM VERDIENSTE 1914 - was founded in 1914 by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst. The reason for this was the appreciation of merits related to the First World War. The sword clasp was awarded for service in the face of the enemy. The year of the campaign or war was added to the badge of honor for the first time in 1870. The sword clasp was first introduced or founded by Grand Duke Carl Alexander on September 22, 1870 during the war of 1870/71. Once again sword clasps were awarded for the campaign in South West Africa. However, the General Decorations of Honor did not have a year on the back. The sword clasp had the color of the respective level of the general decoration, gold, silver or bronze. The gold medals were awarded to senior portepee non-commissioned officers. The silver medals for non-commissioned officers and the bronze for enlisted ranks. Only Weimar soldiers who preferably served in the 5th Thuringian Infantry Regiment No. 94 and its reserve troops were entitled to be awarded, but also Weimar soldiers who served in other units of the German armed forces.
The die cutter of the General Decoration of Honor under Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst was Arthur Krüger, medalist and owner of the Berlin Medal Mint since 1875. The Badges of Honor 1914 no longer bear a signature at the bottom edge of the front. Towards the end of 1918 medals in bronzed war metal (zinc alloy) were also made.
Front:
In the middle the portrait of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst looking to the left.
On the edge the inscription: - WILHELM - ERNST - GRAND DUKE - OF - SAXONY -
Back:
A dense oak leaf wreath bound crosswise at the top and bottom.
In the enclosed field the 3-line font:
– DEM -/- VERDIENST -/- 1914 -.
Ribbon:
39 mm wide, side stripes green/yellow each 5 mm, middle stripe black 19 mm.
The photos speak volumes and what you see is what you get.