Cased 12-Year SS Long Service Medal

Product Description:

Ultra-Rare Cased 12-Year SS Long Service Medal – Exceptional Condition

This is a stunning and highly sought-after Cased 12-Year SS Long Service Medal, an award of extreme rarity—especially in its original case of issue. The SS, founded in 1923, remained a relatively small organization until the outbreak of World War II. The awarding of these service medals ceased in 1941, making recipients of the 12-year distinction exceptionally few. As a result, these medals were produced in very limited numbers, with complete sets like this one being virtually impossible to find on the market today.

Crafted from high-quality die-struck Tombak, this example showcases all the textbook features expected of a genuine piece. The details remain razor-sharp, with finely textured frosting in the recesses and brilliantly burnished highlightsthat enhance its visual appeal. The distinctive teardrop-shaped suspension ring is another hallmark of authenticity, further solidifying its status as a premium collectible.

Adding to its desirability is the original cornflower blue ribbon, which remains in excellent condition. Most notably, it features the hand-embroidered SS runic emblem in silver bullion, an exquisite and historically significant detail.

The medal is housed in its incredibly rare, original presentation case—a black exterior adorned with silver SS runes, distinguishing it from the 25-Year variant, which bore gold runes. The case’s red velvet and satin interior remain well-preserved, with only minor age-related wear. The original hinge is fully intact, and the closure button functions as intended.

This is one of the very few complete, authentic 12-Year SS medal sets available on the market today, making it a top-tier investment for advanced collectors. A truly museum-worthy piece, seldom seen in this level of preservation.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to acquire one of the most desirable SS awards in existence.

Historical Description: Prior to WWII, the German military and civil authorities instituted a wide range of Long Service Awards to reward personnel for years of service. These awards were used by all branches of the German military, as well as civil and political organizations such as the police, the customs service, and the National Labor Service (RAD). There was also a general Long Service Award for civil service. Each of these awards was issued in the form of a medal that was suspended from a cornflower blue ribbon. Many of these were made in different grades denoting a specific number of years of service. They were worn on the uniform in the form of ribbon or medal bars, and up to two long service awards could be worn at the same time. In most cases, a device affixed to the ribbon bar would denote for which service the award had been issued; sometimes the medals themselves had devices on the ribbons, either in the form of pinned-on metal emblems, or else hand or machine embroidery applied drectly to the ribbon. Some German Long Service Awards were very widely awarded, others were made and issued only in small numbers.

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