WWII German 25 Year Faithful Service Cross – C.F. Zimmermann Cased

Description

The WWII German 25 Year Faithful Service Cross is a distinctive German civil long-service decoration introduced during the Third Reich period and awarded in recognition of twenty-five years of loyal service. This particularly attractive example is preserved together with its dark blue ribbon and period red presentation case, producing a much more complete collector set than a loose medal alone.

Officially known in German as the Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen für 25 Jahre, the decoration was instituted in 1938 as part of the German system of civil faithful-service awards. It was intended to recognise long and continuous service by employees in public administration and other qualifying occupations. The twenty-five-year grade was produced with a silver-coloured finish, while a higher grade existed for longer periods of service.

The front of this WWII German 25 Year Faithful Service Cross consists of a four-armed silver-coloured cross set over an oak-leaf wreath. At its centre is a black enamelled swastika. The combination of textured fields, polished borders, oak-leaf wreath and contrasting central black emblem produces the instantly recognisable design associated with this award.

The reverse carries the inscription “Für treue Dienste”, meaning “For Faithful Service”, positioned within the central square of the cross. The original dark blue ribbon remains attached, including its period fastening arrangement visible in the photographs.

An important feature of this example is the accompanying presentation case. The rectangular red case carries a silver-coloured “25” within a decorative circular border on the lid, directly identifying it as the twenty-five-year grade. Inside, the dark red fitted interior provides a contrasting background for the silver decoration and blue ribbon.

The inner section of the case also retains a label reading C.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim. C.F. Zimmermann was one of the established German manufacturers associated with period decorations. Comparable examples of the 25-year Faithful Service Award are documented in maker-marked Zimmermann cases.

The decoration displays a bright silver-coloured appearance with well-defined detail throughout the cross and oak wreath. The black central enamel remains visually strong, while the ribbon retains a deep blue colour. The case shows normal evidence of age and storage, including minor wear around the exterior edges. Such characteristics are expected on a historical presentation set preserved for several decades.

Collectors particularly value complete groups where the medal, ribbon and corresponding case have remained together. The maker-labelled presentation box adds an additional identification feature and considerably improves the visual presentation of the award.

This WWII German 25 Year Faithful Service Cross would make an excellent addition to a collection focused on German civil decorations, long-service awards, WWII medals, Third Reich-era historical objects or European twentieth-century militaria.

The item is offered as a historical collector’s piece and is accompanied by our authenticity guarantee. All photographs form part of the description and show the actual medal, ribbon and presentation case offered.

Any political symbols visible on the decoration are retained solely because they form an inseparable part of the historical design. The item is offered exclusively for historical, educational and collecting purposes and does not promote or endorse any political ideology.