East German Army Bronze Reservist Medal

NVA Reservist Medal

This is the bronze grade of the Reservist Medal of the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA), the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic. The obverse reads "Reservist der Nationalen Volksarmee" around a helmeted soldier in profile, and the medal hangs from an enameled triangular device in the national colors. It is genuine East German issue and comes in its fitted presentation case, a solid piece for Cold War collectors, NVA uniform displays, and reenactors.

Features

• Bronze Grade Award — The bronze-tone finish marks this as the bronze class of the NVA Reservist Medal.
• Helmeted Soldier Obverse — A raised profile of a soldier in the East German steel helmet sits inside the circular legend, with an oak leaf spray and acorn at the base.
• Inscribed Reverse — The back carries "Für den Schutz der Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Macht" ("For the protection of the workers' and peasants' power") inside a laurel wreath.
• GDR State Emblem — The center of the reverse shows the East German hammer and compass framed by grain, struck in relief.
• Enameled Suspension Device — An inverted triangle in black, maroon, and yellow enamel carries the GDR emblem and "NVA" lettering, with a wheat-ear border.
• Pin-Back Fastening — A hinged pin and catch on the reverse of the triangle attach the medal directly to a tunic without a separate ribbon bar.
• Hinged Medal Loop — The disc hangs from a metal loop on the suspension device, so it sits flat against the uniform when worn.
• Presentation Case Included — A white plastic case with a fitted lid and a blue-green card insert holds the medal for storage or display.

East German Provenance

The NVA awarded the Reservist Medal to men who had served and passed into the reserve, and the reverse inscription ties it to the state's official language of defending the workers' and peasants' state. This example is an original GDR award, not a later copy, with the legends, state emblem, and enamel colors matching the issued pattern. Displayed in its case or worn on an NVA tunic, it gives a clear, documented piece of East German military history.