This ribbon represents a narrow mounting bar version designed for two significant German decorations from World War I: the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 and the Hanseatic Cross of Bremen. With a width of 25 mm and length of 150 mm, this unworn specimen conforms to contemporary regulations for ribbon bars worn on uniform jackets.
The Iron Cross was first instituted in 1813 by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon. The decoration was renewed in 1870 for the Franco-Prussian War and finally on August 5, 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II for World War I. The Iron Cross 2nd Class was the most commonly awarded grade of this prestigious military decoration, conferred for bravery and distinguished service in the field. Its characteristic ribbon displays the Prussian colors of black-white-black, with the color sequence reversed for the 1914 edition compared to the original 1813 version.
The Hanseatic Cross was a special decoration of the three Hanseatic cities of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lübeck. These cities, as city-states, were not monarchies and therefore did not possess royal or princely house orders. The Bremen Hanseatic Cross was instituted on September 14, 1915 and could be awarded to members of all German armed forces as well as allied armies who had rendered distinguished service to the Hanseatic city. The ribbon of the Bremen Hanseatic Cross displayed the city colors of red and white in various configurations.
The combination of these two decorations on one ribbon was quite common, as recipients of multiple orders could display their awards according to wearing regulations in the form of ribbon bars on their uniform jackets. For everyday uniforms or civilian clothing, instead of the complete orders, frequently only the ribbons in narrow form were worn. This practice allowed officers and soldiers to discreetly display their decorations without having to wear the bulky orders themselves.
The narrow 25 mm width corresponds to regulations for ribbon bars that were arranged vertically on the uniform. The sequence of ribbons followed strict hierarchical rules established in the respective order statutes and wearing regulations. The Iron Cross, as a Prussian-German decoration for valor, enjoyed particularly high status.
The technical execution of such order ribbons was subject to precise specifications. Colors had to exactly match official specifications, and ribbons were manufactured from high-quality silk or other suitable materials. Manufacturers of militaria and orders produced these ribbons in large quantities, with quality varying depending on the maker. The unworn condition of this specimen suggests it was either procured as a replacement ribbon or possibly never used after the war's end.
The historical significance of such order ribbons lies not only in their military function but also in their testimonial value for the complex system of honors and decorations in the German Empire. The coexistence of empire-wide decorations like the Iron Cross and regional honors like the Hanseatic Cross reflects the federal structure of the Empire, in which individual states and city-states maintained their own military traditions.
For collectors and historians, such original pieces are important sources for researching military history and the study of orders and decorations. The unworn condition makes this specimen particularly valuable, as it preserves the original colors and material quality without the wear marks of daily use. Such ribbons document the material culture of World War I and the significance that military decorations held in contemporary society.
