Prussia's silver Rettungsmedaille (Lifesaving Medal) was originally established on 13 August 1833 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III.   The Prussian Cabinet Order of 4 December 1871 specified that it would be worn before any House Orders without swords, ranking it 8th in order of precedence.  The 17 June 1890 revisions of the order of precedence retained it in the same rank.  It was awarded to any 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.  Duplicate awards could, and were, made.  This series of awards ended in 1924 --  however, there does appear an occassional reference to awards being made into the mid-1930's. This anomaly definately requires specialized research. 

Prussian Rettungsmedaille (reverse)

The Lifesaving Medal is made of silver (normally weighing slightly less than 90 grams, 87.1 grams is typical) 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.  As an aside, some Prussian awards use the Lifesaving Medal ribbon to denote a special distinction (for instance, the Prussian Order of the Crown, 4th Class), but that is another guide.   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.  No original examples are known to be hallmarked, the only hallmarkes known are for tailor copies or a hallmark on the ring if it has been replaced.  Since it has been issued over a long span of time, there are many variants  A specialist collector can date the age of the medal fairly good after a lengthy physical inspection.  It is unknown how many were issued and the WWI records are very sketchy.  A few have appeared on the market but the vast majority are in medal groups.  

• October 1999, an unmounted example was offered by a German dealer for €250.
• March 2001, a medal was offered on eBay but the description and photo was suspect and went unsold for US$49.99.
• September 2004, an unmounted example with original loose ribbon was offered at a German Militaria Show for €300.
• January 2008, a mounted (as awarded) medal was offered by a German online dealer for €325.
• March 2008, a ribboned medal was offered by a German dealer for €300.
• April 2008, a ribboned medal was offered by a German dealer online for €425.
• May 2008, a ribboned medal with ribboned miniature was offered at a German militaria show for €725

To research this medal further, internet searches often reveal recipients and often details of the award, unfortunately, most information is in German.  A silver 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!