The SS long service awards (SS- Dienstauszeichnung) were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch.  The awards were introduced by Adolf Hitler on the 30th January 1938 and were awarded to SS members of the SS-Verfügungstruppe, SS-Totenkopfverbände and the SS-Junkerschule who served honourably and were on active service.

SS Long Service Awards were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, twenty-five years, and forty years; and those eligible were as follows:

Four year award

The four-year service award had a black finish and was awarded only to NCOs and enlisted men. The four-year service medal was manufactured by the firm Petz & Lorenz.

Eight year award

The eight-year service award was finished in bronze and was awarded to all Officers, NCOs and enlisted men. The eight-year service medal was manufactured by the firms Petz & Lorenz and Deschler.

Twelve year award

The twelve-year service award was in the shape of the swastika, had a silver finish and was awarded to all Officers, NCOs and enlisted men.

Twenty-Five year award

The twenty-five-year service award was in the shape of the swastika, had a gold finish and was awarded to all Officers, NCOs and enlisted men.

Forty year award

The forty-year service award was never distributed because no one achieved the necessary length of service before the fall of the Third Reich in 1945.

SS 4 Year Long service Award

NCO wearing a parade bar with SS 4 Year Long Service Award

SS 8 Year Long Service Award

SS 12 Year Long Service Award

An example of an SS 12 Year Long Service Award - cased

Heinrich Himmler seen wearing his full medal bar with the SS 12 Year Long Service Award

SS 25 Year Long Service Award

The Medal Bar belonging to Heinrich Himmler; Reichsführer-SS u. Chef der Deutschen Polizei. consisting of the 12 Year SS Long Service cross, 15 Year NSDAP Long Service cross, 10 Year NSDAP Long Service cross, Occupation of Austria, Occupation of Czechoslovakia with "Prague Castle" bar, Occupation of Memal, and West Wall medals. The medal bar in the original presentation case was found on 2nd May 1945 by men of Company E, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the US Army, at Himmler's summer home at Gmund, Tergensee.

Heinrich Himmler with ribbon bar in wear