During WWI the Swiss mobilized 238,000 men and 50,000 horses under the command of Gen. Wille. The average soldier served 600 days of active duty. For their service these soldiers could have received any number of medal types, none of which were government issued and could not be worn on a uniform. The medal types are; generic meaning without any indication of issuer. Such medals were privately produced and sold to the public. Most likely these medals were purchased for the soldier by family members. The example illustrated here shows an allegorical figure of Helvetia guarding the border. The design illustrated here is similar to the Pennsylvania Mexican Border Service medal.

 

Nice medal. Rich A. in Pa.

Very interesting, thank you for sharing it with us.