BACKGROUND: On March 16TH 1936, one year after the reintroduction of military conscription, Adolf Hitler instituted the Armed Forces Long Service Awards to reward military personnel, in all branches of service, for loyal long service. The awards were established in four classes for four, twelve, eighteen and twenty-five years service respectively. Of Note: On March 10TH 1939 Hitler expanded the series of Armed Forces Long Service Awards with the introduction of a gilt oak-leave device to be attached to the ribbon of the twenty-five year service award to indicate forty years service. This example is the first class medal awarded for twenty-five years of loyal service.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck manetic construction medal with a fire gilt finish is in the form of a cross Pattée with a circular centerpiece with the obverse centerpiece featuring an embossed Wehrmacht style eagle with down-swept wings and the reverse centerpiece featuring the embossed numeral, "25". The crosses arms and centerpieces all have a subtly pebbled background field with dual, fine, embossed, smooth outer edge stripes to the centerpieces and a fine, embossed, smooth outer edge stripes to the arms. Original ribbon and eagle and 40 year cyphers (never attached) and the original case. Nice!!!