Germany, Third Reich; Germany, Imperial. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of awards, 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 32.19 mm in diameter, weighing 13.0 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 48.80 mm (w) x 49.30 mm (h), weighing 21.0 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of bronze finish, in 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 42.13 mm (w) x 46.78 mm (h), weighing 21.0 grams, in extremely fine condition.

4. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with its arms joined through the quadrants by stylized rays, the obverse with blue and white enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black swastika,circumscribed by a raised inscription of “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” (“TO THE GERMAN MOTHER”), the reverse bearing an etched institution date of “16. DEZEMBER 1938” and a signature of the Führer, unmarked, measuring 35.04 mm (w) x 45.22 mm (h), weighing 14.7 grams, demonstrating flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in very fine condition.

5. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its original Third Reich period ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with 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 stamped with an illegible maker’s mark, measuring 43.30 mm (w) x 47.18 mm (h), weighing 17.0 grams, in extremely fine condition.

6. A Lippe-Detmold War Merit Cross, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised Lippe rose, situated within a circular laurel leaf wreath joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the six o’clock arm bearing a raised institution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a raised monogram of Prince Leopold IV, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE (“FOR DISTINCTION IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 40.70 mm (w) x 44.48 mm (h), weighing 19.1 grams, in extremely fine condition.