#87 • Schaumburg-Lippe Medal for Military Service (1808-1815)

Part of British & World Medals (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $110.00

Status: Sold

Schaumburg-Lippe Medal for Military Service (1808-1815). Silver service medal (30mm) for loyal military service (1808-1815) awarded by Prince Georg Wilhelm for the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe (1831). Allied with Napoleon, Schaumburg-Lippe fielded one company in the war against Spain and 2 companies in the war against Russia in 1812. Medal exhibits heavy wear, damage to both obverse and reverse and is in fair condition. Medal presents proper ribbon (new). Estimate: $150 - $250 Historical Background: The Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe, a minor German state with a small population, established military awards to recognize the loyal service and bravery of its soldiers. The Schaumburg-Lippe Medal for Military Service (1808-1815) dates back to the era of the Napoleonic Wars when many German states were involved in conflicts across Europe. This period saw the foundation of the principality in 1807 by Prince Georg Wilhelm, a fact significant to the later awards, though this specific medal predates the more widely documented Military Merit Medal of 1850. The creation of such a medal highlights the state's efforts to honor those who fought during this turbulent time. Military awards from Schaumburg-Lippe are notable due to the principality's size; they represent the main military honors conferred by a state whose population was less than 50,000. These awards, often made of silver or other precious metals, typically featured the ornate initials of the ruling prince, sometimes surmounted by a crown, within a laurel wreath. While the specifics of the 1808-1815 medal are less documented than later versions, it served a vital function in recognizing military fidelity and valor in the crucial early years of the principality's existence, setting a precedent for subsequent military decorations.