German Empire/Third Reich, WWI/WWII - Five-Piece Medal Bar. Assembled in late-1940, for a combatant member of the German Empire, who contributed to the war effort in WWI. Come the Third Reich era, the solider participated in the occupation of Sudetenland giving exceptional service, beyond the call of duty. He later offered long-standing and faithful work in the service of the NSDAP. From left to right the Medal Bar consists of:
- Imperial Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914, instituted August 5, 1914).
- 2nd Class War Merit Cross with Swords (Kriegs-verdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern, instituted October 18, 1939).
- NSDAP 10 Year Long Service (Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP 1. Stufe in Bronze, instituted April 2, 1939).
- 25 Year Faithful Service Cross (Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen 2. Stufe für 25 Jahre 1938, instituted January 30, 1938).
- Sudetenland Commemorative Medal (Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938, instituted October 1, 1938).
The bar consists of a stamped brass base, that is covered to the front with each medal’s appropriate rayon ribbon and to the back with a light blue wool, assembled with light blue stitching. The reverse shows the appropriate tombak pin, hinge and catch assembly that remains in well working condition. It shows age soilage. It measures 5 1/4 inches wide by 2 5/8 inches tall. A great piece!