Cuba, Republic. A Group of Armed Forces, Police, Fire Department, and Civic Decorations

1. A mounted medal bar, measuring 80.6 mm in length, suspended from an ornate gilt brass bar with engraved laurel decoration, consisting of: (a) Cuerpo Nacional de Bomberos Premio a la Abnegación, gilt bronze and red enamels, the obverse with a flaming torch imposed over crossed fire axes and firefighting implements, circumscribed “CUERPO NACIONAL DE BOMBEROS · PREMIO A LA ABNEGACION”, on a red ribbon with central dark blue stripe, measuring 39.3 mm x 45.1 mm inclusive, small enamel chip at 6 o’clock, reverse plain, and (b) Cuerpo Nacional de Bomberos Long Service Star with three service stars, gilt bronze and blue enamels, eight-pointed star with blue enamelled cross arms and central Cuban national arms, suspended from a dark blue ribbon with three gilt service stars affixed to the ribbon, measuring 36.6 mm x 37.6 mm inclusive, reverse plain, mounted together on original decorated suspension bar. 

2. (Combatiente Internacionalista España 1936–1939) Cuban Spanish Civil War Volunteer Medal, bronze, the obverse depicting the outline of Cuba with waving Cuban flag and three arrows, circumscribed “POR VUESTRA LIBERTAD Y LA NUESTRA”, the reverse inscribed “COMBATIENTE INTERNACIONALISTA · ESPAÑA 1936 1939”, suspended from worn red ribbon, measuring 33.9 mm x 38.8 mm inclusive of suspension ring.

3. (Cuerpo Nacional de Bomberos Premio a la Abnegación) National Fire Department Award for Self-Sacrifice, gilt bronze and red enamels, the obverse with flaming torch imposed over crossed fire axes and firefighting implements, circumscribed “CUERPO NACIONAL DE BOMBEROS · PREMIO A LA ABNEGACION”, on a red ribbon with central dark blue stripe, measuring 39.2 mm x 45.6 mm inclusive, reverse plain, light wear to ribbon, very fine condition.

4. (Ayuntamiento de la Habana Medalla a la Lealtad, Constancia y Abnegación 1924) Havana Municipal Police Medal for Loyalty, Constancy, and Self-Sacrifice, gilt bronze, the obverse with the crowned arms of Havana within the inscription “AYUNTAMIENTO DE LA HABANA · 1899”, the reverse inscribed “AL CUERPO DE POLICIA · LEALTAD · CONSTANCIA Y ABNEGACION 1924”, suspended from a white ribbon and rectangular gilt suspension bar, medal measuring 30 mm x 32.8 mm inclusive, top bar measuring 34.4 mm x 8.8 mm.

5. Cuban Army Long Service Medal, silvered bronze, the obverse depicting the profile of an indigenous warrior in feathered headdress, the reverse with Cuban national arms within laurel branches and circumscribed “PATRIA HONOR DEBER”, measuring 36.2 mm x 39.9 mm inclusive of suspension ring, without ribbon.

Footnote: Cuban civic and service decorations of the Republican period covered a broad range of armed forces, police, firefighting, and volunteer organizations. Fire department decorations such as the Premio a la Abnegación were awarded for courage and self-sacrifice in the line of duty, while municipal police medals recognized long and faithful public service. The Combatiente Internacionalista medal commemorates Cuban volunteers who fought in support of the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939.