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)

                                                                
Selling from my private collection. This extremely rare and highly desirable medal. Less than 5,000 awards made between 1914 and 1918 ! 

Laut Klee (in HKK S. 277) wurde das Allgemeine Ehrenzeichen (1914) in Silber mit Schwertern von 1914 bis 1918 insgesamt 4.911 Mal verliehen. Fritsche (in FRW2 S. 196) nennt jedoch unter Berufung auf Klee (!) nur 3.887 Verleihungen.

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. 

 I hope I have aroused your interest. Now it's your chance, to own a piece of history. Easy Payment with Paypal. Worldwide shipping. I will only charge overseas buyers the standard Royal Mail International Tracked shipping rate. Combined shipping when you buy more than one item from me.

       Please note this is a Private Sale. To the best of my knowledge the medals offered here for sale are genuine, original and of the period stated. This is not a guarantee. Please see the photographs and make your own decision. Returns within 14 days of sale if not entirely satisfied. Only bid if you intend to buy.

Please check out my other items!" For a varied selection of TOP QUALITY ORIGINAL WW1 GERMAN MEDALS. Prussian Iron cross 1st Class and 2nd Class, Hanseatic cross Lubeck, Mecklenburg Cross etc.