Orders, Decorations and Medals

Germany, Prussia, War Medal 1870-71, non-combatant’s, steel, mounted German style on ‘combatants’ ribbon, nearly extremely fine £40-60

Franz Piater enterd the Army as a One-Year Volunteer in 1870 and was posted to the Ersatz Battalion of the Kaiser Franz Garde Grenadier Regiment No.2, of the Gardekorps. He served in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, crossing the French border prior to 2 March 1871 but without coming under fire. ‘One-Year Volunteers’ were men of good education from the middle or upper classes, who, on being called up for military service, undertook to provide their own equipment and expenses for a year. They were treated as a form of officer cadet, and on being posted to the Reserve were usually granted a commission.

Sold with original certificate of award named to the recipient and copied research.