SS Long Service Award, I Class for 25 Years
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 02.GTR.0304.101.01.000
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A textbook example of a SS 25-Year Long Service Award (SS-Dienstauszeichnung); in gilded tombac in the shape of a static swastika; the obverse bearing the standard SS runes within an oak leaf wreath with ribbons on the bottom of the wreath; the reverse inscribed “Für Treue Dienste in der SS” (For Loyal Services in the SS); on loop for suspension; measuring 37.95 mm x 38.14 mm; better than very fine condition.
Footnote: The SS long service awards were first introduced by A.H. on January 30, 1938, and according to predominant historian, Christopher Ailsby, the awards ceased to be awarded at the end of 1941. These medals were produced exclusively by Deschler of Munich and Petz & Lorenz of Unterreichenbach, however, this example is unmarked.
The SS Long Service Award was founded on January 30, 1938, and was conferred upon long serving members of the Schutz Staffel.
The S.S. was founded in 1923, although the term Schutz Staffel (S.S.) was not regularly used until 1925. By the end of 1945, there were nearly a million men within the organization.
The Award was established in 4 grades and was conferred upon men who served for 4, 8, 12, or 25 years. The Award for 25 years was created despite the fact that the S.S. did not exist for that length of time. However, it was still conferrable, as war service counted for double, as did service during the “Kampfzeit” from 1925 to 1933, when the Nazis struggled to gain power.
The Award for 4 years was not conferred upon Officers, but beyond this, rank of a recipient was not considered.
Only one S.S. Long Service Award could be worn at one time, although it could be worn in unison with an Armed Forces Long Service Award.
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