The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch.

[1] It was first introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938,[1][2] On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS ("For Loyal Service in the SS").

The medal was awarded to SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppe, SS-Totenkopfverbände who were on active service.

The Nazi Party Long Service Award was given in grades of ten, fifteen, and twenty-five years.

This was because the period between 1925 and 1933 (what the Nazis termed Kampfzeit ("Time of Struggle") counted double,[5] and any service in the armed forces in the First World War and afterwards, as well as the Police, was also included.