The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch in 1938 and were introduced later that year by Adolf Hitler.
SS Long Service Awards (Dienstauszeichnungen) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years.
The twelve and twenty-five year service awards were in the form of swastikas.
In the middle of the swastika is an oak leaf wreath with a ribbon knot at the bottom. Inside the wreath you can find the letters `SS`. On the reverse side, the medal has emblazoned the inscription, in German:: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS (“For Loyal Service in the SS”).
The medal was awarded to SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppe, SS-Totenkopfverbände and the SS-Junkerschule who served honorably and were on active service.
The medal has been acquired straight from a war veteran, member of the Normandy Veterans’ Association who has liberated it from a german POW. He asked to keep his details private but we are happy to issue an authenticity certificate for it.
~ Dimensions ~
The award is a perfect square and it has a side length of 1.5 inches (4 cm).
The award weighs 25g.
~ Condition ~
The medal is in a decent condition with some tarnishing and light scratches but no major problems.
ref. GS940D0CC / PQE0XXFRCV#7611
