NOTE: I have recently acquired a literal treasure trove of WW1 and WW2 military items and will be listing them in the coming months. All of the items were destined for the landfill, until my sister in law rescued them! Stay tuned…
Authentic WWI German Legion of Honor Medal (Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges) with Combat Clasp – Weimar Republic Period.
Up for sale is a nicely preserved, 100% authentic German Honorary Commemorative Medal of the World War, commonly referred to by collectors as the German Legion of Honor. Designed by renowned artist Franz Stassen and instituted in the early 1920s by the Ordensrat der Deutschen Ehrenlegion, this unofficial award was purchased and proudly worn by WWI veterans during the Weimar Republic era prior to the official introduction of the 1934 Hindenburg Cross.
This specific example comes complete with its original Imperial-colored (Black/White/Red) ribbon and the highly desirable gilt combat swords and wreath clasp (Kampfabzeichen) affixed to the front.
Collector Specifications & Authentication Metrics:
• Composition: Gilt-Bronze / Gilt-Copper base with strong remaining gold finish.
• Total Weight: 16.06 grams (Fully verified; confirms dense, period-correct historical alloys, not cheap post-war lightweight pot metal or zinc reproductions).
• Planchet Dimensions: 32 mm wide × 33 mm tall (standard 32mm diameter plus the top decorative hanging loop).
• Ribbon Dimensions: 44 mm long × 32 mm wide.
• UV Blacklight Test: PASSED. The ribbon does NOT fluoresce under a UV blacklight, confirming a period-authentic organic textile weave (silk/cotton) completely free of modern post-WWII synthetic materials or chemical brighteners.
Condition Report:
The medal is in excellent vintage condition with sharp, crisp details on both the obverse (the winged figure crowning the German soldier) and the reverse (the 1914 Iron Cross and "Fürs Vaterland" inscription). The gold gilding remains vibrant with light, natural aging. The ribbon remains structurally sound with minimal fraying at the top edges, and the combat clasp is securely attached. Please review the high-resolution photos to judge the exact condition for yourself.
Carefully packed and shipped in a sturdy 4”x 4” box with tracking. International orders also have tracking.
If you have any questions, please ask! Visit my store for more vintage ski patches, ski pins, ski tickets, ski brochures, t-shirts and various treasures.
