Germany: Hesse-Darmstadt Field Service Decoration 1840-1866 For Sale

Germany: Hesse-Darmstadt Field Service Decoration 1840-1866.Gilt bronze medal issued by Grand Duke Ludwig II and awarded to Hessiansoldiers, combatants and non-combatants, in any campaign between 1780 and 1866,including the Napoleonic Wars, the Second Schleswig War with Denmark, and theSeven Weeks War of 1866. According to one source, a total of 30,287 medals wereissued between 1840 and 1866; the vast majority of those medals would have beenawarded in the latter conflict. Approximately 20,000 Hessian soldiersparticipated in the Seven Weeks War as part of the 8th Army Corps of the Austrian-ledGerman Confederation against Prussia. The medal is in near extremely finecondition, with most of the gilt gone; a slight touch of verdigris on thereverse side at the 11 o’clock position. It is on a correct, old, faded replacementribbon; the ribbon is variously seen with wide or narrow vertical white edgestripes. Authenticity guaranteed; 14-day return privilege (30 days overseas),excluding postage, provided item is returned in same condition when sold. Itemwill be shipped USPS Priority Mail; will combine postage for multiplepurchases.