I just don't have the depth of knowledge to get involved with this sort of militaria - the world of Third Reich fakes and forgeries is just too scary !
Well, I might as well show the whole set of cased SS Long Service Medals, these being the 12- and 25- Bob
And here is my medal bar with the Iron Cross Second Class (1914), City of Hamburg, Honor Cross 1914-1918, and 8-Year SS Long Service Medal. You can see the Berlin tailor's label on the back. Bob This 8-Year SS Service Medal is made by P&L, whereas the cased one at the top of this thread is made by Dreschler.
Finally, a ribbon bar with two Long Service ribbons (blue), one with the 4-Year SS Long Service device, the Occupation of Austria and Occupation of the Sudetanland (Czechoslovakia), both in 1938. The device has been put on the ribbon upside down... hard to see that little thing. Bob
It is amazing. I wonder at the 25 year device. Wasn't the SS a unique organization of Hitler's? I didn't think he had been in power for 25 years, or barely even 12. I imagine that they could have made them in advance but how could they have ever been issued?
Good question: The SS was founded in 1925. The period between 1925 and 1933 were the 'Years of Struggle' and time in the SS counted double, therefore, 8 x 2 = 16. Good for the 12-Year SS Service Medal. The time 1933 to 1939 counted straight, 5 years + 16 = 21. The war years, 1939 to 1945 again counted double, 6 x 2 = 12 + 21 = 33 total years service from 1925 to 1945. These medals were instituted by Hitler in 1938 and when the war broke out, the issuing of these medals was suspended, the 12- and 25-Year SS Long Service Medals were no longer made. The 4-Year SS Long Service Medal was awarded and issued only to enlisted men; officers not being qualified (probably required to sign up for more than the 4 years). Only one SS medal or ribbon bar was worn at a time, although it could be worn in conjunction with other service medals, i.e. police, military, or political. Bob By the way, Himmler wore the 12-Year SS Long Service Medal on his medal and ribbon bars.
Thanks Bob, I was thinking of it strictly as a longevity medal and never would have guessed the added service multiplier.
