Iron Cross with silver frame on original ribbon.

The medal was awarded to Officers, NCOs, and enlisted men for long and loyal service. It was founded on November 14, 1837 and designed after the Iron Cross. The Long services medals were redesigned after the Prussian designs in 1872.

Original ribbon attached, showing the inventory tag from the former US based Sawicki collection. Mr. Sawiki was one in charge of de-nazifying Germany after World War II including the destruction of tools used to manufacture items with Nazi symbolism, e.g., medals and badges. During that time, he became acquainted with Georg Schreiber (collector and co-author of: “Die tragbaren Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Reiches”, Dr. Waldemar von Hessenthal & Georg Schreiber, Verlag Uniformen Markt Otto Dietrich, Berlin 1940 and other medal related books) He became fond of those very items while he was staying with Schreiber and started collecting. He acquired most of his collection from Schreiber himself.

Exceedingly rare long service cross in fantastic condition. Small oxidation spot on the lower left area on the side of the medallion cylinder.