Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a very nice collection of German WWI Era awards & insignia, with some from the Post War Weimar and early NDSAP period. These were most likely brought home by a WWII USGI during or after the war, as medals from Germany were very popular collectors items. During WWI each state of the Empire had their own medals, which lent itself very easily to the collecting market.

This is a set of 17 items, most of which appear to be military awards, though some are definitely civilian, and others are badges and/or tinnies. They are all in nice displayable condition, with moderate wear. Some have their original ribbons, while others have lost them. As best we can tell, the set consists of the following:

- Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal with Ribbon. Marked KP on the hanger Ring, for Karl Pollath of Schrobenhausen.
- Bavarian Merenti Cross of Military Merit with Swords, 2nd Class, 1866 with Ribbon
- German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Ribbon
- Württemberg Wilhelm II Military Merit Medal in Silver with Ribbon
- Pre-WWI Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Medal aka Centenary Medal 1897
- Duchy of Anhalt Leopold IV. Friedrich Fifty Year Service Award with Ribbon
- THREE War Commemorative Medals of 1870/71, one with ribbon, one with "Conquered Cannon" marking.
- Prussian Merit Cross for War Aid with Ribbon (possibly incorrect color)
- Prussian Military Honor Medal 1814 Version
- Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold 1905 Jubilee 70 Anniversary Military Medal with Ribbon
- Bavarian Firefighters 25 years Long Service Medal with Ribbon - established 1884.
- Badge with the Coat of Arms of Bavaria with KRIEGER-VEREIN / BURGSTÄDT, indicating membership in the "Warrior Club" of Burgstadt, Bavaria.
- Infantry Badge / Tinny from the Kingdom of Saxony with a small picture of Frederick Augustus III, the last King of Saxony
- German Weimar Period Legion of Honor FÜRS VATERLAND (For the Fatherland) Medal with Ribbon.
- German Weimar Period War Commemorative Medal 1914/1918 of the Kyffhäuser Bund (Veteran's Association)

This is a great set of medals and other awards from various areas in the German Empire and Weimar Germany.  A great way to start your collection!

Below are descriptions for most of the medals:

German WWI Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class with Ribbon:
Established by Frederick William in 1813 for gallantry in action, the decoration was revived several times for later conflicts. The bulk of the issues are divided into 1st and 2nd class versions, but a rare and superior 'Grand Cross' was also awarded for successful field commanders. During WW1 the lower decoration was freely awarded with 5½ million second class types issued. Originally, the Iron Cross was an award of the Kingdom of Prussia, however given Prussia's pre-eminent place in the German Empire formed in 1871, it became an award for all of Germany.

The basic design of the WW1 crosses is a central cross patee struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram. Reverse bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath - the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. Suspension for second-class types is by means of a ring, and frequently this ring bears a maker's stamp.

Please examine the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.

Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat):
The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of NSDAP Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or NSDAP Party organization.

Bavarian Merenti Cross of Military Merit with Swords, 2nd Class, 1866.
Order of Military Merit was instituted in 1866 in 5 Classes. In 1905 the Cross of Military Merit was revised initially to 2 Classes and in 1913 to 3 classes. Each class was awarded according to the rank of the recipient and could be issued with or without swords (for peace or war time period) and crown (for a 2nd award). The old non-enameled 2nd Class became the 3rd Class and was changed from silver to bronze. The old 1st Class became the 2nd Class. The new 1st Class was identical to the 2nd Class except that it was gilt rather than silver.

Kingdom of Württemberg Wilhelm II Military Merit Medal in Silver
This is the standard military merit award for the Kingdom of Württemberg during the WWI era, known as the Militärverdienstmedaille in Silber. The individual German Kingdoms, Duchies, and states during WWI all had their own leaders and medals, which varied quite a bit in design. This medal features a front face with the head of King Wilhelm II of Württemberg facing right, circumscribed WILHELM II KOENIG VON WUERTTEMBERG. The rear face has a ring of laurels around the edge, with FÜR TAPFERKEIT UND TREUE (For bravery and loyalty) in the center. The medal was instituted in 1818 to be awarded for military merit. Wilhelm II became king on 6 October 1891 and the new version of the medal bearing his image was introduced on 26 June 1892. It was suppressed in 1918 when, along with all other German rulers, Wilhelm was deposed at the end of World War I

This example is in good shape, with a lot of the silvering remaining, with the usual oxidation. It is mounted on the correct Post-1914 yellow and black ribbon.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Medal
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Medal also known as the Centenary Medal (German: Kaiser-Wilhelm-Erinnerungsmedaille Zentenarmedaille) was established on March 22, 1897 by Wilhelm II on the occasion of the 100th Birthday of his grandfather, Emperor Wilhelm I.

The medal was awarded by Prussia to state and university officials, as well as all military officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel, which were actively serving in army, navy and Schutztruppe. Medals were also awarded to the surviving veterans of the First Schleswig War, Second Schleswig War, Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War. The medal is made of bronze gunmetal from captured cannon. It is 40 mm in diameter and was suspended from a ribbon 36 mm wide.

The obverse is a right facing effigy of Wilhelm I in military uniform wearing a mantle and Pickelhaube. To the left of the effigy is the inscription WILHELM / DER / GROSSE / DEUTSCHE / KAISER (William the Great German Emperor). To the right is KOENIG / VON / PREUSSEN (King of Prussia).

The reverse depicts symbols of royal authority including the German State Crown, an orb, sword, and scepter placed upon a pillow surrounded by oak leaves, in the lower half of the medal. To the left is an upward climbing laurel branch. In the upper half is the inscription in six lines ZUM ANDENKEN AN DEN HUNDERTSTEN GEBURTSTAG DES GROSSEN KAISERS WILHELM I. 1797 22.MAERZ 1897 (IN MEMORY OF THE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY THE GREAT EMPEROR WILHELM I. 1797–MARCH 22–1897).

Duchy of Anhalt 50 Year Service Award
Known in German as the Denkzeichen für fünfzigjährige Diensttreue, this award was instituted by Duke Leopold IV. Friedrich von Anhalt-Dessau on May 12, 1864 and was awarded as a reward to all ducal officials and servants after 50 years of loyal and unprovoked service. The award replaced the medal awarded by Anhalt-Bernburg for 50 years of service until 1863, as the Duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg, which existed until then, was merged with the Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau due to the extinction of the ruling family. It was awarded until the end of the Duchy of Anhalt in 1918.

The silver medal shows the intertwined initials L F (Leopold Friedrich), which are surmounted by a ducal crown and surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the reverse the inscription Für fünfzigjährige Diensttreue (“For fifty years of service”P, underneath a long horizontal line and two oak branches at the bottom at the edge. An eyelet with a band ring was soldered to the top.

The medal was worn on a dark green ribbon with white side stripes on the left chest.

The War Commemorative Medal of 1870/71 (Kriegsdenkmünze für die Feldzüge 1870–71) is a campaign medal presented by Kaiser William I in his capacity as King of Prussia to commemorate service in the Franco Prussian War. The medal was presented to members of the united German armies for combat service in bronze, and non-combat service in steel. Each version bore minor differences in inscription and design. Clasps were authorized on the 25th anniversary of the German victory, to commemorate selected battles. 

The war medal was presented to officers, military physicians, civil servants and men of the German armies who took part in the Franco-Prussian war through 2 March 1871. It was also awarded to the crew of the SMS Augusta for service from 11 December 1870 to 2 March 1871.

The medal for combatants was manufactured from captured bronze cannon barrels. The obverse shows the crowned Royal cypher of William I over the inscription Dem siegreichen Heere (To the victorious army). Inscribed around the edge is Gott war mit uns, Ihm sei die Ehre (God was with us, to Him be the glory). The reverse shows a cross with rays between the four arms. In the center of the cross is a laurel wreath surrounding the dates 1870 and 1871. On the edge of some of the awards is inscribed AUS EROBERTEM GESCHUETZ (From conquered cannon).

Prussian Military Honor Medal of 1814
The Military Honor Medal (German: Militär-Ehrenzeichen) was a two-class military decoration awarded by the Kingdom of Prussia. The medal was awarded to military personnel from the rank of sergeant and below. Established in 1814, it replaced the Gold Military Merit Medal of 1806 (Goldene Militär-Verdienstmedaille), with a medal in the shape of a cross silver cross for the 1st class while the Silver Military Medal of 1806 (Silberne Militär-Verdienstmedaille) became the 2nd class with minor changes in design.

The 1st class was a silver 36 mm cross pattée with a center medallion. The obverse of the medallion bore the inscription VERDIENST UM DEN STAAT (Merit for the State) in three lines, while the reverse bore the crowned cypher of Friedrich Wilhelm III, the founder of the award. The 2nd class was a 39 mm circular silver medal also bearing the inscription VERDIENST UM DEN STAAT on its obverse, surrounded by a laurel wreath, with the reverse depicting a large crowned cypher of Friedrich Wilhelm III.

Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold Jubilee Medal 1905
By an Armeebefehl dated 12. März 1905, Luitpold, Prinz von Bayern, regent of Bavaria, announced the creation of the Jubilee Medal (Jubiläumsmedaille) for the Bavarian Army. The event was the 70th anniversary of Luitpold's entering the army. This medal is a bronze medal, oval in form. It is worn on a watered ribbon in the colors of the House and Knighly Order of St. Hubertus (cinnabar red with light green edges/zinnoberrot mit hellgrünen Randstreifen). The obverse has a bust of Luitpold and the inscription "LUITPOLD PRINZ-REGENT VON BAYERN". The reverse has the inscription: "AM 70. JAHRESTAG MEINES DIENST-ANTRITTES DER BAYER. ARMEE GEWIDMET XII. III. MCMV

The Merit Cross for War Aid (German: Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe) was a war decoration of Prussia awarded during World War I. Instituted 5 December 1916, the cross was awarded for patriotic war aid service, without regard to status or rank.

The Merit Cross for War Aid is in the shape of a Maltese cross, typically found made of blackened Kriegsmetall alloy. The obverse of the cross bears a circular central medallion with the crowned cipher of King Wilhelm II. On the reverse the central medallion is inscribed FÜR KRIEGS-HILFSDIENST (For War Aid Merit) above an oak wreath. To the upper arm is attached a loop for suspension from its ribbon.

War Commemorative Medal 1914/1918 of the Kyffhäuser Bund
War Commemorative Medal of the Kyffhäuser Union was instituted on June 18, 1921 by the Kyffhäuser Bund, an umbrella organization of German veterans’ and reservists’ associations, in conjunction with the 25th jubilee of the erection of the Kyffhäuser monument (Kyffhäuser-Denkmal) in Thuringia.

The following statement appeared in the statuary document: “1914-1918 World War veterans keep on expressing their unanimous desire in establishment of a badge commemorating feat of arms of frontline soldiers, loyal service of reserve troops as well as selfless labor at the home front. Definitive refusal of German government to institute such a war medal made governing body of Kyffhäuser Union of German territorial veterans’ associations come to a decision to institute 1914-1918 War Commemorative Medal by agreement with the Home Ministry and in conjunction with the 25th jubilee of the erection of the Kyffhäuser monument. Former combatants, reservists and those having served at the home front during the World War 1914-1918 as a part of the Army, the Navy and the Colonial troops provided they are members of Kyffhäuser Union, are eligible for a badge”.