Description
SS-Dienstauszeichnung 2. Stufe für 12 Jahre.
In good condition.
The ribbon comes from the estate of the in 1942 deceased Dr. Waldemar Hesse Edler von Hessenthal and was originaly bought from the family by a previous collector. the cross was seperately collected.
Both cross and ribbon are in good condition and can easily be considered to be among the very rarest of all Third Reich awards.
A little background:
The service awards for the SS were instituted on January 30, 1938 on the 5th anniversary of the National Socialists’ seizure of power by Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. All units of the SS-Verfügungstruppe, the Totenkopf units and the SS-Junker schools were eligible for the award. On October 21, 1938, the appearance of the service award was determined by ordinance. The design comes from Professor Karl Diebitsch from Munich. The award consisted of 4 levels. The 1st level was awarded after 25 years of service, the 2nd level after 12, the 3rd level after 8 and the 4th level after 4 years of loyal service. To calculate the length of service, times in the Wehrmacht, the state police and times in previously recognized volunteer associations (Freikorps) were also used. From 1940 onwards this regulation was repealed. The 1st and 2nd stages are crosses in the shape of the swastika measuring 37 x 37 mm, gold-plated and silver-plated, respectively. The 3rd and 4th stages are in medal form. On the ribbons of the 1st and 2nd level there are 2 victory runes embroidered in the respective color gold or silver. Cross in the form of a straight swastika made of silver-plated bronze. On the front there is an oak wreath. The cross arms with raised lines at the edges, tapering and polished at the ends. At the top there is a soldered ordinary eyelet with a pear-shaped band ring.
