Prussia's bronze Rettungsmedaille (Lifesaving Medal) was originally established on 13 August 1833 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III as a silver Lifesaving Medal.   Some data suggest that it was awarded in the 1880's but this is not verified.  An award in 1904 is known (perhaps it was a retroactive award?) and this medal is clearly authorized in 1914.  It was awarded to and person who through personal danger had saved another person or who had attempted to and was awarded for combat or non-combat - with no distinction made in the award itself.  The bronze version was intended for those who had clearly qualified but were denied the award for various reasons.  This series of awards ended in 1924 although it appears that some awards were made into the 1930's. 

Prussian Rettungsmedaille (reverse & obverse)

The Lifesaving Medal is made of bronze (normally weighing slightly less than 84 grams but over 76 grams) and uses the opposite color ribbon (approximately 30 cm wide, orange with 2 white stripes toward each end - very similar to the 3rd Reich West Wall Medal) as the Order of the Red Eagle.  It's interesting to note that the original drawings of the medal specified that it would be of the same dimensions as the Prussian 1 Mark coin. The original issue obverse had KOENIG VON PREUSSEN*FRIEDRICH WILHELM III circling the King's profile.  The reverse has changed many times but typically has the name of the medal (FÜR RETTUNG AUS GEFAHR) in raised lettering and has a leaf spray circle.  Since it has been issued over a long span of time, there are many variants.  It is unknown how many were issued and the WWI records are very sketchy.  A few have appeared on the market but the majority are in medal groups.  

• July 1975, a unmounted example was sold by a German dealer for $35.
• October 1992, a unmounted medal was offered by a USA dealer for $125.
• June 1995, a unmounted medal was offered on eBay and went unsold at $150.
• May 1997, a damaged medal with no ribbon was offered by a German dealer for €50.
• January 2000, a mounted example was sold on eBay for €26.
• April 2001, an example with no ribbon was offered on eBay for €19.99 (start price) and went unsold.
• September 2002, an unmounted example was offered by a German dealer for €75.
• October 2002, a mounted medal was offered by an online USA dealer for $225.
• March 2003, a mounted medal was sold by a German dealer for €125.
• September 2003, a remounted group (with replacement ribbons) with this medal, a Combatant Southwest Africa Medal with 3 clasps, and a Prussian Military Long Service Medal (possibly a 2nd Class or a 15 Year Cross? ) was sold at a German Militaria Show for €750 (with some personal items of the recipient).  *Possibly resold in February 2007??
• July 2004, an unmounted example was offered on eBay and went unsold with a start bid of $149.99. 
• November 2006, an unmounted example was offered at a German Militaria Show for €150. 
• December 2006, an example without ribbon was offered at a German flea market for €50, but was suspect at the time since it was a bronze medal with a silver suspension hook and ring and the person viewing it was not aware of this medal existing in bronze. 
• February 2007, a remounted group (with replacement ribbons) with this medal, a Combatant Southwest Africa Medal with 3 clasps (ORANJE, WATERBERG, GROSSNAMALAND -all damaged), and a 15 year Prussian Long Service Cross was sold at a German Militaria Show for €750 (with a few personal items of the recipient - the Lifesaving Medal was reputedly won in Southwest Africa).  *Possibly the same group from September 2003??
• January 2008, a mounted (as awarded) medal was offered by a German online dealer for €175.
• April 2008, an example with no ribbon was sold on eBay for €45.50.
• April 2008, a unmounted example with a late-era (ca. WWII) replacement ribbon and silver ring was offered by a German dealer for €200.

A bronze Lifesaving Medal is rarely offered on the market.  My best advice is:  Buy one from a specialist dealer who will offer you a 100% guarantee.  There are copies of this medal on the market and an original is somewhat rare and difficult to locate.  For further information on medals, please see my other guides and blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li).  Thanks for viewing!