Wehrmacht Long Service Award

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award, 4th Class, was instituted on March 16, 1936, to recognize four years of active military service. It was the first milestone in a professional soldier's career. These medals were typically worn on the formal parade tunic (Waffenrock) or the daily service uniform, representing the soldier's integration into the rapidly expanding German armed forces.

This item:
An authentic, "combat-worn" example of the Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award. This medal shows honest age and character, making it a perfect piece for a display featuring field-used equipment. The medal features a nice original patina with some typical wear to the silver finish on the high points, revealing the base metal underneath. This gives the piece a very genuine, untouched appearance. Comes with its original, full-length cornflower blue ribbon. The ribbon shows some honest period soiling/dirt, consistent with a medal that was actually worn on a uniform. The silvered Wehrmacht eagle is period-mounted to the ribbon. Unlike "mint" unmounted examples, this one was fixed in place by the soldier or a tailor over 80 years ago. This is a textbook example of the award given to young soldiers and NCOs as they completed their first four years of service.