Germany, Third Reich. A Medal Bar for Distinguished Civil Service in Rescue and Fire Fighting

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for distinguished civil service featuring three awards, 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”, situated within a circular oak leaf wreath, the edge stamped with a crescent indicating German manufacture, a silver content number of “835”, and a maker’s mark of “PR. M. BLN.” for the Prussian Mint in Berlin, measuring 25.04 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

2.  A Fire Brigade Honour Award, II Class, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Geneva Cross with its ams joined through the quadrants by a circular ring bearing an obverse inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM FEUERLÖSCHWESEN” (“FOR MERIT IN FIRE FIGHTING”), the obverse of the cross with white enameled arms bearing stylized red flames, overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a black mobile swastika surrounded by a circular black enameled ring, unmarked, measuring 43.57mm (w) x 47.33 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in extremely 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 topped by Olympic ring, overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, 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”), above a cluster of oak leaves, unmarked, measuring 37.12 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 80 mm-long bar with a non-magnetic metal core, horizontal pinback, and green wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons, an uncommon bar to a recipient who, as part of the fire brigade, rendered distinguish services to rescue and Olympic Games infrastructure in extremely fine condition.