Social Welfare 1st class Neck Order – Godet & Co

Product Description:Social Welfare 1st class Neck Order “Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege 1. Stufe”, in bronze, fire giled and enameled, 52.7mm(w) x 57.0mm(h), of very fine quality manufacture, with long length of period neck ribbon, as originally worn by the recipient; no chipping to enamels, slightly worn, in extremely fine condition; cross is unmarked, but this is a textbook example manufactured by Godet, Berlin; in typical fitted LDO style case of issue (bottom of the case marked Gebr. Godet & Co. Berlin), interior of the lid lined with cornflower blue velvet, embossed “Ehrenzeichen für deutsche Volkspflege 1. Stufe” in gilded lettering; and red leatherette exterior; case is in near extremely fine condition. An excellent high quality example of this Social Welfare 1st class Neck Order scarce award.

Historical Description: On May 1, 1939, Adolf Hitler introduced a new series of social welfare awards to reward contributions to the German civil population. The official introduction of this series of awards stated that they were to be awarded for achievements in the areas of social welfare, the winter relief organization, care of sick and wounded in wartime and in peace, rescue work, care of the German people and of ethnic Germans in other countries. These awards replaced an early series of Red Cross award. The lowest grade of the new series of awards was called the “Medaille der deutschen Volkspflege,” often referred to as the Social Welfare Medal. The medal was made of bronze or zinc with a silver fuinish, and bore a German national eagle and swastika on the front, superimposed on a cross. The rear bore the inscription “Medaille für deutsche Volkspflege.” The higher grades of the award were designed by Prof. Richard Klein in the form of a cross and called the “Ehrenzeichen der deutschen Volkspflege.” The cross was a white enameled cross, on which was affixed a black and white enameled German eagle and swastika. There were four grades of the cross. The highest level, the I. Stufe (first class), was a large breast star that had the cross affixed to 1 4-pointed star. The II. Stufe of the cross was worn around the neck on a broad ribbon. The III. Stufe was a pin-back cross, and the IV. Stufe was a medal suspended from a ribbon. These Social Welfare decorations were classified as National Socialist awards after the war and were not permitted to be worn after 1945.

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Click the link here to learn more: Free Evaluation or Inquiries 

or feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com