BACKGROUND: On January 30^TH 1938 Adolf Hitler introduced a series of four long service medals for award to loyal, long serving members of the SS-Verfügungstruppen, (SS-Special Purpose Troops), the SS-Totenkopfverbände, (SS-Death’s Head Units) and the SS-Junkerschulen, (SS-Officer Candidates Schools). Eligible service time for bestowal of one of the awards was counted from the reforming of the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), on February 24^TH 1925 and time served between 1925 and 1933, the Kampfzeit, (Time of Struggle), and military service time were counted as double. The four classes consisted of the first class award for twenty-five years service, the second class for twelve years service, the third class for eight years service and the fourth class for four years service. Only EM’s and NCO’s were eligible for the fourth class award while all ranks were eligible for the other three classes. Authorization for rendering the awards came directly from SS-Reichführer Heinrich Himmler’s office. Of Note: Personnel serving with the Allgemeine-SS, (General-SS), and the SS-SD, SS-Sicherheitsdienst und Sicherheitspolizei, (SS-Security Service and Security Police) were not eligible for the SS Long Service Awards and long serving personnel were awarded the NSDAP’s Faithful Service Decoration if eligible. Also Of Note: The SS Long Service Awards were the first awards to utilize a swastika alone and not in conjunction with the national eagle. This example is the second class award for twelve years service.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 1 1/2", square, die struck, alloy construction, second class award with nickel/silver plated and frosted white finishes. The award features a static swastika with cut-out arm detailing and a fine embossed line to both the inner and outer edges of the swastika’s arms. The center of the swastika is encircled by an embossed, oak-leave wreath which encompasses embossed SS runes to the obverse and embossed block Latin script and SS runes to the reverse, "Für Treue Dienste in der SS", (For Loyal Service in the SS). The medal ring and the correct tear drop shaped suspension loop are both intact and the medal comes complete with a roughly, 1 7/8" wide, 5 1/2" long, piece of original ribbed, moire cornflower blue rayon ribbon with hand embroidered SS runes in bright silver/aluminum wire threads. The ribbon is still quite clean and the embroidered runes show minor age tarnish. The embossed areas of the award retain all of their original nickel/silver plated finish while the recessed areas retain about 95% of their frosted white finish with a couple of small scuffs and scrapes. The award has no visible manufacturer’s markings. Nice example.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $3,570.00