This guide will cover the Fürstentum of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Rettungsmedaille (Lifesaving Medal) only.  It was awarded without an award certificate (but it was announced in the Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Cabinet Orders and, very often, the various newspapers in the Sonderhausen area) and was the highest award for heroism that was available in Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.  Fürst (Prince) Günter Friedrich Carl II von Schwarzburg-Sondershausen established this medal in 1868 and, after his death in 1890, Fürst Carl Günter replaced it with a similar medal in 2 classes (bronze and silver and is generally known as the Carl Günter Rettungsmedaille or the Carl Günter Lifesaving Medal).  The award was noted in 1893 as being obsolete and even then information was minimal.  It appears that at least 4 were won by firemen who risked their lives to save others.  Very little is known about this German award, so all currently available information will be provided.   The Fürstentum of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Ehrenzeichen für Feuerwehr-Mitglieder (Firemen Long Service Award) is often found accompanying this medal in German museums.    

The Fürstentum of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Rettungsmedaille was made of thick silver (approximately 3.0 cm in diameter) and was never hallmarked.  The obverse had a crown above 3 inter-twined letters (GFC - for Günter Friedrich Carl II von Schwarzburg-Sondershausen).  The reverse carried a totally circular oakleaf spray with FÜR RETTUNG AUS GEFAR (For Lifesaving While in Danger) centered in 4 lines.  The medal has a silver suspension ring which is not hallmarked which was inserted into a suspender ring mounted at a 90° angle to the medal. 

The ribbon for the Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Rettungsmedaille is a golden color about 3.2cm wide and had a fine silk weave with an intricate weft design.  Contemporary ribbons were of silk, the weave is 15-18 rows per cm, each thread is 2-3 strands of ca. 16-20 fibers per strand, and it is always UV-negative.  It should be noted that the original ribbon is noticably thin when compared to a modern replica.  The ribbon is very similar to the Prussian 1897 Centenary Medal ribbon (although originally about 2.5cm wider) and it is often difficult to distinguish between the 2 by a non-specialist. 

Schwarzburg-Sondershausen Rettungsmedaille

This medal is rarely seen on the market and only two examples are even known to exist in museums.  Most collectors believe that less than 100 were awarded, with less than 25 being the average accepted.  The most well-known German researcher, Herr Nimmergut, states in some of his reference books that as few as 4 were awarded during its' existence.  However, many medals were made which were never issued (or were used as displays) and have found their way onto the collector market.  This particular medal seems to be quite under-priced considering it's relative rarity, partly because of the very low market demand for this relatively unknown medal.  To date, no copies have been documented although it is quite possible that some exist.  A well-made copy will be difficult to verify since few originals can be located.

• September 2002:  A pair (Lifesaving Medal & Fireman Long Service Medal, both with original ribbons and some documentation) were offered at a German medal show for €750.
• December 2005:  One was offered by a well-known online German auction house which had been part of a renowned private German collection.   The reserve price was €500. 
• January 2006:  One (without ribbon) was offered by a Hamburg German dealer for €500.
• February 2007:  One (with replacement ribbon) was offered by a German dealer in an online auction for €550.   It went unsold.
• March 2007:  One (with replacement ribbon, possibly the same as one of the above) was offered in a well-known online German auction.   Details of the end-of-auction have not been located. 

Please see my other guides and blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) for further information.   Thanks for viewing!