Kaiserreich Krieger-Verdienstmedaille 1873

In a very good condition a Prussian warriors service medal 1873 with ribbon

This is the 25 mm version with combatant ribbon.

The Warrior Merit Medal was awarded around 1835 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III. donated. The medal was only awarded to non-Prussian soldiers. The first award ceremony took place in 1835 (assumed date of foundation) to the honor guard of the palace in St. Petersburg, during the visit of the king. In the years that followed, the medal was mostly awarded to Russian soldiers from sergeant down. This first form of the medal had the cipher - F W III on the reverse. -. This form was issued in 2 variants. The first embossing has an embossed eyelet and a rough drawing, e.g. of the laurel wreath. The 2nd embossing is finer and has an ordinary eyelet soldered on with a band ring. In 1872 the stamp on the reverse was changed and now shows the cipher - W R - and is now the same from the drawing with the military badge of honor 2nd class from 1864. From 1888 the medal was also awarded on the white and black ribbon for non-combatants. The medal was also used as an award for bravery in the colonies for colored soldiers and NCOs who fought on the German side. In World War I, the medal was also awarded to allied soldiers because they were not eligible for the Iron Cross award.

Round silver medal with raised rim. Above is an ordinary eyelet soldered on with a ribbon ring.

Front:

At the edge a laurel wreath with fruit tied with a bow.
In the enclosed field the 2-line writing: - WARRIOR - / - MERIT -.
Back:

In the center are the intertwined and decorated letters - W R -.
On top of it an open five-arched royal crown.
Tape:

Volume 1 fighter: 25 mm black, edges 2 mm, white edge strips each 4 mm.
Volume 2 non-combatants: 25 mm white, edges 2 mm, black edge strips each 4 mm.

Code: 50510