Germany, Imperial; Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards for First and Second World War Service

(Auszeichungnen). A mixed lot of awards for First and Second World War service, including:

1. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSVERDIENST 1939” (“FOR WAR MERIT 1939”), unmarked, measuring 32.23 mm in diameter, weighing 12.7 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in near mint condition.

2. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and patinated zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “107” for Carl Wild, Hamburg, measuring 35.90 mm (w) x 44.40 mm (h), weighing 17.5 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

3. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 32.04 mm in diameter, weighing 14.4 grams, in better than very fine condition.

4. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse bearing a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, the suspension loop bearing a maker’s mark of “KO” for a widely-documented but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.98 mm (w) x 48.18 mm (h), weighing 15.8 grams, demonstrating evidence of polishing to the frame, in extremely fine condition.

5. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Crown and Swords, constructed of coppered bronze, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing a raised inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a hollow crown suspension and ring retaining an original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 42.14 mm (w) x 63.49 mm (h), weighing 27.2 grams, demonstrating moderate loss of finish throughout, in better than very fine condition.