3rd Reich Dienstauszeichnung der Wehrmacht 1.Klasse für 25 Jahre

In an excellent condition a Wehrmacht 1st class 25 years service award

Service awards for the Wehrmacht were introduced by Chancellor Adolf Hitler on March 16, 1936, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the reintroduction of general conscription. It initially consisted of 4 classes. 1st and 2nd class were crosses, 3rd and 4th class were medals. On March 10, 1939, the oak leaves for the 1st class were donated after 40 years of service. Times that were worked in the old Wehrmacht and in the recognized voluntary organizations (free corps) up to the transfer to the Reichswehr and then in the Wehrmacht were also counted towards the period of service. Interruptions were not taken into account. Service times of the state and protection police could also be counted if the person was transferred to the Wehrmacht.
All members of the Wehrmacht who were in service with the Wehrmacht on March 16, 1935 or later were entitled to receive them. From May 3, 1939, the service awards could also be awarded to former members of the Austrian Wehrmacht. Similar regulations applied to the period before 1935.
The army and the navy wear the national emblem of the Wehrmacht in the corresponding color of the class on the ribbon. The Luftwaffe carries the national emblem of the Luftwaffe in the corresponding color of the class on the ribbon.

Gold-plated tombac cross. The arms of the cross with a raised smooth edge. The inside of the cross arms are grained. Front and back with a round central shield. A slightly thicker eyelet with a band ring soldered to the upper cross arm.

Frontside:
The central shield with a raised, smooth edge.
The national eagle with lowered wings on a grained field. In his claws he holds the swastika.

Backside:
The central shield with a raised, smooth edge.
The number - 25 - on a grained field.

Ribbon:
blue 35 mm wide.

Code: 53003