Germany, Third Reich. A Mine Rescue Honour Decoration
(Grubenwehr-Ehrenzeichen). Instituted 30 January 1938. (1938-1945 issue). Constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a crossed hammer and mallet overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a wreathed inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM GRUBEN-WEHRWESEN” (“FOR MERIT IN MINE RESCUE”), unmarked, measuring 35.34 mm in diameter, weighing 23.3 grams, in extremely fine condition.

