Germany, Third Reich. An Unusual Medal Bar for Fire and Rescue Service

(Ordenschnalle). An unusual medal bar for fire and rescue service featuring three decorations, including:

1. A Life Saving Medal, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised German national eagle overlaid by a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR RETTUNG AUS GEFAHR” (“FOR RESCUE FROM DANGER”), situated within a circular oak leaf wreath, the edge stamped with a crescent indicating German manufacture, a silver content number of “835”, and an inscription of “PR. M. BLN.” for the Prussian Mint in Berlin, measuring 25.06 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

2. A Fire Brigade Honour Award, II Class Medal, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Geneva Cross, the obverse with white enameled arms bearing stylized red enameled flames, joined through the quadrants by a circular ring bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM FEUERLÖSCHWESEN” (“FOR MERIT IN FIRE FIGHTING”), bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black mobile swastika, situated within a black border, unmarked, measuring 43.68 mm (w) x 47.86 mm (h), demonstrating moderate flecking to the enamels in addition to loss of finish to the base metal, in better than very fine condition.

3. An Olympic Games Commemorative Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised column, overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, topped by Olympic rings, and flanked by a date of “1936”, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTVOLLE MITARBEIT BEI DEN OLYMPISCHEN SPIELEN 1936” (“FOR MERITORIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES OF 1936”), unmarked, measuring 37.09 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 80 mm-long non-magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and dark green wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling and material fatigue to the ribbons, in better than very fine condition.