IdentifyMedals Logo

Author: Yisela

Creator of IdentifyMedals.com

The Hunza Nagar Badge

The Hunza Nagar Badge was manufactured by Gurney of London in 1891 and awarded by the Maharajah of Jammu and Kashmir to his troops who served in the operation against the border states of Hunza and Nagar. This war is known in Pakistan as the “Anglo-Brusho War”.

The British gained control of Nagar during a battle at Nilt Nagar (Jangir-e-Laye) in 1891. The fort at Nilt was stormed, and after a fortnight’s delay, the cliffs beyond it were also carried by assault. Hunza and Nagar were occupied, the chief of Nagar was reinstated on making his submission, and the half-brother of the raja of Hunza was installed as chief in the place of his brother.

Awarded in a single class, it was originally worn as a brooch at the neck, and later, it was decided that it could be worn as a medal and some of the badges had the fittings altered in order to accommodate the ribbon. Approximately 1,515 of the badges were issued.

Recipients of the Hunza Nagar badge also qualified for the Indian general service medal with clasp for Hunza 1891.

The Hunza Nagar Badge Design

The medal is a rectangular plaque struck in bronze and measures 46 by 27 millimeters in diameter.

The obverse shows an officer and two sepoys storming the fort in the hills at Nilt, with mountains in the background and the inscription “HUNZA NAGAR 1891” below and to the right.

The reverse is plain except for the maker mark “GURNEY & SON, LONDON, WOODSTOCK STREET” or just “WOODSTOCK STREET”.

The suspension in through two loops on the reverse. The ribbon is 46mm by 32mm large and has a broad red diagonal bar and white center stripe and green upper left and lower right corners.

The British South Africa Company’s Medal

The British South Africa Company Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War.

The British South Africa Company Medal is a British campaign medal established in 1896 and sanctioned by Queen Victoria and the British South Africa Company to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War. The majority of awards were to colonial and locally-raised troops, rather than members of the regular British Army.

In 1897, the award was extended to those engaged in the two campaigns of the Second Matabele War, namely Rhodesia (1896) and Mashonaland (1897). The three medals are the same except for the name of the campaign for which the medal was issued, inscribed on the reverse.

In 1927, the government of Southern Rhodesia re-issued the medal and instituted a new clasp, to commemorate the Pioneer Column that operated within Mashonaland in 1890. Those previously awarded the medal were required to exchange it for the new version.

The four clasps issued were:

  1. Matabeleland 1893
  2. Rhodesia 1896
  3. Mashonaland 1897
  4. Mashonaland 1890

The British South Africa Company’s Medal Design

The medal is circular, struck in silver and measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. It was manufactured by Heaton and Company of Birmingham.

The obverse shows a left-facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem and veil. Around the edge is inscribed “Victoria Regina”.

The reverse was designed by Richard Caton Woodville Jr and depicts a charging lion, wounded in the chest with an assegai. In the foreground are native weapons and a shield, in the background is a mimosa bush, and below the scene the inscription: “BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY”. The recipient’s first eligible campaign is inscribed at the top on all versions of the medal except the 1927 issue.

The ribbon measures 35 millimeters (1.4 in) wide and is watered silk in golden yellow with three dark blue stripes.

The swiveling suspension bar is decorated with shamrocks, thistles and roses. The medals were named to the recipient using a number of different engraved and impressed styles, depending on when the medal was issued.

The Austrian Decoration for Services to the Red Cross

The Decoration for Services to the Red Cross was an award instituted in 1914 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention.

The Decoration for Services to the Red Cross (or Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um das Rote Kreuz in German) was an Austro-Hungarian award instituted on 17 August 1914 by Emperor Franz Josef I to mark the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Convention.

The award was intended to honor individuals who had worked in the voluntary emergency services of the Red Cross, either in peacetime or in war. The Austrian Red Cross was founded in 1864 and the merit awards were created to mark the 50th anniversary.

The order consists of four classes, as well as an associated medal in two classes:

  • 1st: Star
  • 2nd: Merit Cross, 1st class
  • 3rd: Officer’s Cross
  • 4th: Merit Cross, 2nd class
  • Silver Medal
  • Bronze Medal

Awards for military services were augmented with a war decoration for the ceremony.

The Austrian Decoration for Services to the Red Cross Design

The medal is a silver-edged white enamel cross with silver-edged red enamel inset panels.

The obverse has a central circular white enamel medallion bearing a red enamel Greek (Geneva) encircled by a red enamel ring bearing the inscription in gilt letters ‘PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI’ (“Fatherland and Humanity“), and a green and red enamel wreath imposed indicating a wartime award.

The reverse bears a central circular white enamel medallion bearing the dates in silver ‘1864’ and ‘1914’.

The suspension ring is usually hallmarked and with the maker’s mark. The ribbon is white with red diagonal stripes.

Find Red Cross Medals Online

More Red Cross Medals

See All Red Cross Medals & Awards >

The Medal for Bravery (Austria)

The Medal for Bravery (or Tapferkeitsmedaille in German) was a military decoration of Austria-Hungary established in 1789.

Time Period: Pre World War I, World War I
Institution: 19 July 1789
Country: Austria, Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire
 

The Medal for Bravery (or Tapferkeitsmedaille in German) was a military decoration of Austria-Hungary established in 1789 and awarded for bravery in battle until the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.

The medal was created by Emperor Joseph II on 19 July 1789 in order to recognize courage in combat by personnel below commissioned rank. From 1789 to 1915, the Medal for Bravery existed in three classes:

  • Golden Medal for Bravery,
  • Silver Medal for Bravery 1st Class,
  • Silver Medal for Bravery 2nd Class.

A fourth class, the Bronze Medal for Bravery, was introduced on 14 February 1915 during World War I. It was the same size as the Silver Medal 2nd Class. Bars denoting subsequent awards within the same class were introduced on 29 November 1915.

On 26 September 1917, Emperor Charles I amended the statutes of the Medal for Bravery and decreed that the Golden Medal for Bravery and the Silver Medal for Bravery 1st Class could now also be awarded to commissioned officers, particularly in cases where their services were not sufficient for the Military Order of Maria Theresa.

After World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the newly established Kingdom of Hungary instituted in 1922 the Medal of Bravery in silver only. By 14 April 1939, gold, large silver, small silver and bronze awards were issued to non-commissioned officers and men and, on 12 September 1942, the gold medal for bravery award for officers was added.

The Medal for Bravery Design

All versions of the Medal for Bravery bear, on the obverse, the portrait of the reigning monarch on the obverse and the inscription “Der Tapferkeit” (“To Bravery“) on the reverse.

Medals awarded during World War I were minted with the portrait of Emperor Franz Josef on the obverse until some months after his death. Starting in April 1917, the visage of his successor, Emperor Charles I, was substituted.

Commissioned officers after WW1 wore the same medals as the ranks, plus the letter “K” (in gold or silver, depending on the class of the award) superimposed on the triangular ribbon.

The Austrian First World War Commemorative Medal

  • Time Period: WW1
  • Institution: 21 December 1932
  • Country: Austria

The Austrian First World War Commemorative Medal (or Kreigserinnerungsmedaille in German) was awarded to those Austrians who served in the armed forces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the First World War 1914-1918.

The medal was officially gazetted by the Austrian government on 21 December 1932.

In November 1933 the government effectively created two classes for the award by announcing that all front line troops, and any other service personnel who had been wounded in action or taken prisoner, would be entitled to have a crossed swords device added to their medals to distinguish them from other recipients. The crossed swords device (in gilt) was attached to the ribbon.

The Austrian First World War Commemorative Medal Design

The medal was designed by Edwin Grienauer (1893-1964), a prominent Austrian sculptor and medalist that would later teach at the Vienna Arts Academy, who was himself a veteran of the First World War.

The obverse depicts an eagle standing on a shield displaying the medieval arms of the Duchy of Austria (which formed part of the new coat of arms of the post-war Republic of Austria) and below this is the inscription ‘FÜR ÖSTERREICH‘ (“For Austria“).

The reverse displays the dates ‘1914-1918’ and beneath them, the name of the artist, ‘GRIENAUER‘, surrounded by an oak wreath border.

The ribbon is red and white, with the stripes diagonally palced.

The Mine Rescue Decoration (Austria)

The Mine Rescue Decoration (or Grubenwehrehrenzeichen in German) is a state award of the Republic of Austria, established on February 24, 1954 by the National Council and presented by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Reconstruction (currently known as the Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs) to both members and non-members of the mine rescue services.

The decoration can be awarded for the following reasons:

  • to members of a mine rescue service who made a special contribution to a rescue operation resulting in loss of their life.
  • to members of a mine rescue service who have provided satisfactory service for a period of at least 15 years.
  • to former members of a mine rescue service who were unable to complete 15 years of satisfactory service due to work-related illness or injury.
  • to any individual who, while under supervision of the mountain authorities, rescues or assists in rescuing an individual at the cost or, or at great risk to, their own life.
  • to any individual who has made a special contribution to the mine rescue services.

The Mine Rescue Decoration Design

The medal is struck in bronze, circular and measures 40 mm. The obverse shows a Maltese cross with outgoing rays, framed by a laurel wreath, and superimposed by a crossed hammer and pick (the traditional symbol of miners). The reverse bears the Austrian Coat of Arms, with the inscription “Für Verdienste im Grubenrettungsdienst” (“For merits in mine rescue service“).

The ribbon is made up of two thick stripes of black and green, bordered by thin stripes of white and red. On the full-sized medal, the ribbon is arranged as an Austrian trifold, while on the miniature medals, it is arranged as a drape.

In addition to the full-sized medal, awardees also receive a certificate, a miniature medal, a ribbon bar, a lapel pin, and a rosette.

The Military Merit Decoration (Austria)

The Austrian Military Merit Decoration (or Militärverdienstzeichen in German) is an Austrian military decoration established on 13 November 1989 to honor the Military of Austria.

The decorations are awarded by the Federal President at the request of the Federal Minister of Defense and after a decision by the Ministerial Council. Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Defense of November 13, 1989, Federal Law Gazette 551.

Holders of the Military Merit Decoration wear the badge on the left side of the chest.

The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria Design

The badge is a silver-gilt breast star that is worn on the left chest, measuring 30.88 mm (w) x 31.40 mm (h) and weighing 14.3 grams. The cross is 60 mm wide and high and in white enamel, with a red border. Between the arms of the cross are gold crossed swords.

The obverse shows a central white enameled medallion with the Austrian eagle and the inscription “Verdienst” (“Merit” in German). The reverse is decorated with white enamels and has no inscription.

The suspension is a loop from which the ribbon (and sometimes a miniature decoration) is attached. The ribbon is white and red with diagonal lines.

The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria

The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria (or Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Befreiung Österreichs in german) is an Austrian decoration created by federal law on 27 January 1976.

The award is a special distinction for men and women who actively resisted the Nazi regime contributing to Austria’s liberation from Nazi rule.

The President of Austria confers this honour when sent a proposal by the Federal Chancellor based on a report from the Committee on the Austrian Liberation Decoration of Honour.

The Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria Design

The medal is circular, silver-plated, and has a diameter of 42 mm.

The obverse reads the inscription “FOR AUSTRIA’S LIBERATION“. The text raised and doesn’t have a constant height, but is presented in a convex form. The reverse bears the federal eagle, also centrally positioned.

The suspension is a couple of silver crossed laurel branches. The ribbon is 27 mm wide and split red-white-red. The rosette has a diameter of 10 mm, is colored red-white-red and decorated with two silver-colored, crossed laurel branches. Instead of the rosette, a bar (stitch-like stitching) is provided for women.

The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art

The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (or Österreichisches Ehrenzeichen für Wissenschaft und Kunst in German) is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria established in 1955 and part of its national honors system.

The award was established by the National Council as an honour for scientific or artistic achievements by Federal Law of May 1955. At the same time, the National Council also established the “Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art”, which is awarded as “Cross of Honour, First Class” (German: Ehrenkreuz 1. Klasse) and “Cross of Honour” (German: Ehrenkreuz). While not technically counted as lower classes of the Decoration for Science and Art, these crosses are nevertheless affiliated with it.

Divisions:

  • Decoration for Science and Art. Limited to a maximum of 72 at any one time (36 recipients for science and 36 for arts). In each of these two groups, there are 18 Austrian citizens and 18 foreign nationals.
  • Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class. There are no limits on the number of recipients.
  • Cross of Honour for Science and Art. There are no limits on the number of recipients.

Forfeiture of this honor became possible with Federal Law Gazette I No 128/2001. It allows the government to strip recipients of their honors if deemed unworthy. The best-known example of such a forfeiture is of the Nazi physician Heinrich Gross.

The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art Design

The award consists of a neck badge constructed of gilded bronze with multi-colored enamels, suspended on a loop. It measures 58.09 mm (w) x 59.33 mm (h) and weighs 31.1 grams.

The breast badge is constructed of gilded bronze with multi-colored enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross.

Its obverse has red enameled arms, in turn, overlaid by a narrow Maltese Cross with white enameled arms, with a central gilt medallion bearing a raised inscription of “LITTERIS ET ARTIBUS” (“LETTERS AND ARTS”), inside f a laurel wreath. The reverse has a central raised medallion bearing the maker’s mark.

The ribbon is red.

The Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria

The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (or Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich in German) is a national honor established by the National Council in 1952 and awarded by the Republic of Austria.

The decoration is conferred by the Republic of Austria to honor people (from Austria and abroad) who have rendered meritorious services to the country.

Recipients are selected by the government and made by the President, who automatically receives the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria by being elected to the office and holds this honor for life.

The decoration is awarded in 15 grades and is Austria’s highest national honor. The grades are:

  1. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 1st Class BAR.png Grand Star 
  2. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 2nd Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash 
  3. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 3rd Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Sash 
  4. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 4th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star
  5. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 5th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star
  6. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 6th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold 
  7. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 7th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver 
  8. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 8th Class BAR.png Grand Decoration of Honour 
  9. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 9th Class BAR.png Decoration of Honour in Gold 
  10. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 10th Class BAR.png Decoration of Honour in Silver 
  11. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 11th Class BAR.png Decoration of Merit in Gold 
  12. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - 12th Class BAR.png Decoration of Merit in Silver
  13. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Gold Medal BAR.png AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Life Saving Medal BAR.png Gold Medal 
  14. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Silver Medal BAR.png Silver Medal
  15. AUT Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria - Bronze Medal BAR.png Bronze Medal (no longer awarded)

The Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria Design

The badge of the Decoration is a Maltese Cross constructed of silvered bronze with multi-colored enamels. It measures 50.02 mm (w) x 50.25 (h).

The obverse has red and white enameled arms, and the reverse is plain. The six o’clock arm has an integral loop connecting to a suspension apparatus in the form of a silvered Republic-style Austrian national eagle surrounded by an enameled shield of the Austrian states, in turn with a suspension ring connecting to a period original neck ribbon.

The ribbon is red and white.