BACKGROUND: The wear of Awards, Medal Bars and/or Ribbon Bars were addressed in regulations of April 28TH 1937 and followed established directives that had been previously laid down. When an award was instituted the introductory orders would prescribe the proper form of wear, with most of the awards being permitted to be grouped together on a medal or ribbon bar for specific forms of dress. Strict regulations listed the required order in which awards were authorized to be worn on the medal and/or ribbon bars. On March 16TH 1936, one year after the reintroduction of military conscription, 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 grades for four, twelve, eighteen and twenty-five years service respectively.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly 2.5cm long, 1.8cm tall, single place Long Service award ribbon bar with a ribbed, moire, cornflower blue rayon ribbon with stamped, silver washed alloy, "droop tailed" Luftwaffe national eagle cypher attached to the center. The ribbon is mounted on a convex, magnetic sheet metal base plate with a horizontal pin back bar and catch intact. The ribbon bar is in overall good condition with light age and usage toning. The silver washed finish to the eagle cypher indicates that the ribbon bar represents either a four or eighteen year service award.