Original 18 Year Army Long Service Decoration for the German Heer, professionally court mounted with its original blue ribbon and silver Heer eagle device. A well-preserved and highly displayable example of the Wehrmacht’s long service awards.
€ 185
This original 18 Year Army Long Service Decoration is an excellent example of the Wehrmacht’s long service awards, presented to members of the German Army (Heer) in recognition of eighteen years of loyal and faithful military service.
The award is the silvered cross of the Wehrmacht Long Service series and retains its original court-mounted ribboncomplete with the correct silver Heer eagle ribbon device. Court-mounted examples such as this were professionally mounted for wear by the recipient and are highly sought after by collectors due to their period presentation and display appeal.
The obverse features the Wehrmacht eagle with the inscription “Treue Dienste in der Wehrmacht” (“Loyal Service in the Armed Forces”), while the reverse displays the number “18”, denoting eighteen years of faithful military service.
This 18 Year Army Long Service Decoration remains in very good original condition.
The silver finish is well preserved with attractive age patina and light handling wear consistent with age. The medal is professionally court mounted, retaining its original blue ribbon, silver Heer eagle ribbon device, suspension and backing plate. The reverse hardware remains complete and fully functional.
Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
The 18 Year Army Long Service Decoration was introduced as part of the Wehrmacht Long Service Awards on 16 March 1936. It recognised professional soldiers who had completed eighteen years of honourable military service within the German Army.
The award formed the Second Class of the Wehrmacht Long Service series and was worn with a branch-specific eagle attached to the ribbon to denote service in the Heer. Court-mounted examples were privately mounted by recipients and were commonly seen on dress uniforms, particularly among career officers and senior NCOs.
Court-mounted long service awards are considerably more desirable than loose medals, as they represent how the decoration was actually worn during the period. This example combines excellent presentation, originality and complete mounting hardware, making it an attractive addition to any Wehrmacht award collection.
Its original silver Heer eagle device, professional court mounting and well-preserved finish make it particularly appealing for collectors specialising in Heer decorations, long service awards or German militaria.
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