Záslužné medaile

Reuss – Gera: the Meritorious medal
Reuss – Gera: Verdienstmedaillen

Like the other German states, it has also the principality of Reuss (more information about principality here) in addition to the cross of Honor intended to reward the highest civil and military merit also simple decoration, designed to reward the meritorious deeds of ordinary soldiers as well as civil servants.
These decorations were Meritorious medals, which were in the course of its existence awarded in the following variants:

The golden merit medal – 1. type (1897 – 1902)
The golden merit medal – 2. type (1902 – 1918)
The golden merit medal with crown (1909 – 1918)
The golden merit medal with swords (1909 – 1918)
The golden merit medal with crown and swords (1909 – 1918)

Silver merit medal – 1. type (1885 – 1902)
Silver merit medal – 2. type (1902 – 1918)
Silver merit medal with swords (1909 – 1918)

In the armed forces was a Gold merit medal was intended to reward non-commissioned officers, a silver then a team rank of Gefreiter and lower.

Merit medal – 1. type

Silver merit medal was established in one stage of the year 1885, supplementing the statute of the cross of Honor. In 1897 was accompanied by a Gold meritorious medal, which differed from the silver only by the fact that it was made from gilded silver.

Obverse:
Facing side of the medal lined with simple increased bar and reel and bead carries at its center a crown banked monogram of the ruler Heinrich XIV "H" conducted by the ornate gothic lettering.

Reverse:
The reverse side of the medal lined with simple increased bar and reel and bead carries at the edge of a laurel wreath at the bottom of the tied with a ribbon and at the top open. In the middle of the wreaths is located a copy of Für Verdienste. (For merit) in gothic script.

Sling:
A transverse handle, with hanging ring.

Ribbon:
Průvlečná purple color.

Way of wearing:
Either in the form of small ribbons above the left pocket uniforms (Klein Feldspange) or for a festive occasion the entire medal affixed to the strips, also above the left pocket (Große Feldspange). For wear on civilian clothes 16 mm miniature intended for fastening on a chain.

Meritorious medal – 2. type

In 1902 occurred the adjustment of the obverse side of the medal, when it was the monogram "H" replaced by the initials "HR" made of interwoven letters of a different design. Revers as well as the ribbon remained unchanged.
In 1909, more alterations were made. For the gold and silver medal have been as a symbol of military merit added to the elevation of the medal crossed swords and the gold medal then a higher degree – the medal with the crown, which could also be supplemented with the sword. For the silver medal wasn't the version with the crown in place.
The year 1915 was to all types of medals introduced war ribbon taken from the cross of Honor.

Shape:
A circular medal, which could be according to the degree in elevation complemented by crossed swords, a crown or a combination of these elements.

Obverse:
Facing side of the medal lined with simple increased bar and reel and bead carries at its center a crown banked monogram of the ruler Heinrich XIV "HR" made of interwoven letters. In the case of the gold medal, with a crown in which the crown is located in the cant bears the obverse of the medal, only the monogram "HR".

Reverse:
The reverse side of the medal lined with simple increased bar and reel and bead carries at the edge of a laurel wreath at the bottom of the tied with a ribbon and at the top open. In the middle of the wreaths is located a copy of Für Verdienste. (For merit) in gothic script.

Sling:
A transverse handle, with hanging ring.

Ribbon:
In 1915 purple. After the 1915 ribbon in the earthly colors of the principality taken from the cross of Honor. The basic colour of the ribbon is yellow, while the edges of the thin red and black stripes.

the Way of wearing:
Either in the form of small ribbons above the left pocket uniforms (Klein Feldspange) or for a festive occasion the entire medal affixed to the strips, also above the left pocket (Große Feldspange). For wear on civilian clothes 16 mm miniature intended for fastening on a chain.

Note:
Probably the most famous bearer of the meritorious medal was Adolf Heusinger, later the first general inspector of the Bundeswehr (1. Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr) and a member of the military commission of NATO, which received the medal in June 1916 with the rank of Fahnenjunker.

Source:
home.att.net
gmic.co.uk
www.mff-datenbank.de



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