Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of awards, including:

1. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge emanating from an oval baseplate, and with a banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with LDO code “L15” for Friedrich Orth, Vienna (with details matching the attributes of crosses believed to be authenticate as per “The War Merit Cross 1. Class and Higher Grades” by Dietrich Maerz and George Stimson, 2017), measuring 47.89 mm (w) x 48.58 mm (h), weighing 19.9 grams, demonstrating some denting to the edges and moderate loss of silver finish to the base metal, in very fine condition.

2. A Silver Grade Wound Badge, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central raised Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with an integral hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch emanating from a crimped base, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “100” for Wächtler & Lange, Mittweida, measuring 35.94 mm (w) x 43.77 mm (h), weighing 21.2 grams, demonstrating moderate loss of finish throughout, in better than very fine condition.

3. A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension from a period replacement ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 40.89 mm (w) x 46.20 mm (h), weighing 22.6 grams (inclusive of ribbon), with a replacement suspension loop and demonstrating moderate loss of silver finish to the base metal, in very fine condition.