The medals on this bar in order of
seniority from left to right are-
Prussian 1914 Iron Cross, second class
1914-18 Honour Cross for
combatants
Prussian Officers Long Service
Award, for 25 years service
Colonial
Service Medal, with clasp for "DEUTSCH-OSTAFRIKA
1905/07"
Hungarian 1914-18
Commemorative War Medal
The original owner
of this medal bar was a naval officer and veteran of the Maji-Maji
Rebellion in East Africa and the First World War. The fact that he
served in the navy is indicated by the dark blue backing to the bar. His service in the
Maji-Maji Rebellion is shown by the "German East Africa 1905-07"
clasp on the Colonial Service Medal. Only three German ships served
during the Maji-Maji Rebellion, so this officer would have been on
either SMS Bussard, SMS Thetis or SMS Seeadler. His service in the First
World War had some kind of Austro-Hungarian connection as he wears
the Hungarian First World War medal.
The miniature ribbon bar below shows the
same medals with the addition of a 3rd Reich Long Service award
and with the Colonial Service medal now worn ahead of the Prussian
officers Long Service award. This followed regulations introduced in
1939.
Close up of the Clasp for German East
Africa 1905-07