Austria-Hungary General Campaign Medal 1873

[Ralph A]

As an official kick-off for this sub-forum, I offer this:

[Ralph A]

On his 25th jubilee, (Dec 1873) Kaiser Franz Joseph I instituted the "Kriegsmedaille" dated on the reverse "2.December 1873".

Given to all personnel who took part in a (minimum of one) action since 1848.

Note the Habsburg-colors of black and yellow!

Later, given to all who took part in each completed campaign until the Kaiser's death in November 1916.

[Ralph A]

After 1900, the spelling of December was changed to "Dezember." Enjoy.

[Guest Rick Research]

Actually, last officially bestowed for the 1900-1901 Boxer Rebellion in China.

Robert Noss has a photo of an Austro-Hungarian officer who had served with German forces in Southwest Africa during the Herero-Hottentot War of 1904-06 wearing one which would appear to be an anomalous individual late award.

The medal and its ribbon are quite often found SELF-awarded in WW1 groups by Austrians who felt they "should" have gotten it-- but old Kaiser Franz Joseph NEVER authorized it for 1914-16. He may have intended some new award, as the incoming Emperor did with the Karl Cross, and never got around to it.

[Guest Brian von Etzel]

Very nice to find a cased example.

[Stogieman]

I agree with Brian... outstanding to see one cased!

[Stogieman]

Made me think.......... I sold one of these cased, but it was a WW1 era piece, not nearly as old as Ralph's.

[Stogieman]

Here's the reverse of the medal........

[Mike Dunn]

What a noticeable difference in the cases! Nice stuff Ralph! Mike

[Iver]

Hi..

I don?t think that medals with german Z instead of C in DECEMBER is version after 1900. its only a "fashionable" variation... there is a lot of variations of War medal 1873...

the luxury box is wonderfull, the second is some kind of "universal" box.. it was used for several medals - jubilee medal 1898, jubilee cros 1908, silver bravery medal I. class, memorial cross 1912-13, etc..