Physical Description

A smooth circular medal, constructed of bronze. The obverse features a naked man with a club fighting a fire-breathing hydra, with the inscription ‘GOTT ZUR EHR DEM NÄCHSTEN ZUR WEHR’ on the left. At the bottom on the right is the stamp cutter’s signature ‘HÖRNLEIN’. The reverse features the crowned Saxon coat or arms, held by two lions. Below it is the inscription ‘PROVIDENTIAE MEMOR’ on a ribbon, and below that the arched inscription ‘FÜR 40JÄHRIGE TREUE’. On a loop for suspension, on a green ribbon with seven narrow white stripes.

History

The Fire Service Long Service Decoration was instituted on June 12, 1914, by King Friedrich August III for 40 years of service as a volunteer or professional firefighter. It could also be awarded to members of a professional fire brigade or those active in other fire services.

The obverse presents a nude man fighting a flame-breathing hydra, while the reverse presents the coat of arms with the inscription "FÜR 40 JÄHRIGE TREUE DIENSTE".

The medal was awarded in three sizes. The first is 33mm in diameter, and the second is 38mm, which was awarded after 1920. The third is 43mm in diameter. The manufacturer was Glaser & Söhne, Dresden.