| Place | Europe: Germany |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM01339 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Silver |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1914 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Saxe-Weimar Silver General Honour Medal with Swords
Description
Saxe-Weimar Silver General Honour Medal with Swords. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The bust of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst, facing left, with the inscription 'WILHELM ERNST GROSSHERZOG VON SACHSEN' around the circumference. Reverse: 'DEM VERDIENSTE 1914' (For Merit 1914) on three lines within an oak leaf wreath. The medal is fitted with a silver rectangular buckle suspender with crossed swords. The 32 mm ribbon is black with yellow (inner) and green (outer) edges.
History / Summary
The General Honor Medal was established on June 25, 1902. Awards for bravery and military merit came with a rectangular clasp with crossed swords in place of the regular suspension ring. It became Saxe-Weimar's main award for non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted men, with rank determining what grade was received. The award in gold was meant for senior NCOs and Offizier-Stellvetreter, the decoration in silver for junior NCOs (Vizefeldwebeln and Unteroffiziere), and the decoration in bronze for lower ranks. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.