Germany, Schleswig-Holstein. A Cross For The Schleswig-Holstein Army For The War Years 1848-1849

(Erinnerungskreuz für die schleswig-holsteinische Armee an die Kriegsjahre 1848-1849, Eisen geschwärzt). Instituted in 1850. In blackened iron, magnetic, measuring 28.8 mm (w) x 28.5 mm (h), very light contact, replacement ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The medal was cast from the iron cannon of the Danish ship of the line Christian VIII, destroyed by German bombardment at Eckernförde in April 1849. In March 1848, the Germans of Schleswig-Holstein staged an armed uprising with the aim of establishing an independent state. The Schleswig-Holstein army consisted at this time of approximately 400 volunteers under Prince von Noer, the garrison of the Fortress of Rendsburg and about 2,500 volunteers from all over Germany who joined the fight against Danish rule. The King of Denmark was Duke of both Duchies and the Danish army intervened. German states, with Prussia prominent, supported the uprising and war continued for three years with Prussia eventually yielding to pressure from the Great Powers.