Germany, Wehrmacht. A Superb Medal and Order Bar to Generalleutnant Kurt Freiherr Röder von Diersburg

(Wehrmacht Große Ordenschnalle aus dem persönlichen Besitz von Generalleutnant Kurt Freiherr Röder von Diersburg). A rare and superb bar featuring ten medals and orders attributed to Generalleutnant Kurt Freiherr Röder von Diersburg, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original 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 reinstitution date of “1914”, 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, without visible marks, measuring 42.28 mm (w) x 46.60 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed sword piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 47.17 mm (w) x 49.52 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion, II Class Knight’s Cross, constructed of silver with gilt multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a narrow Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by arabesque latticework, the obverse of the arms inset with translucent green enameled gems, overlaid by a central enameled medallion bearing a handpainted image of Zähringen Castle, situated within a ribbed and gilded ring, the reverse over by a central red enameled medallion bearing a raised and gilded lion rampant, situated a ribbed gilt ring, the twelve o’clock arm with a suspension loop connecting to a period original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 39.89 mm (w) x 42.06 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and gilded elements, respectively, in extremely fine condition.

4. A Braunschweig War Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by clusters of oak leaves, and situated above a date of “1914” and below a royal crown, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.35 mm (w) x 33.90 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Glaser & Söhne, Dresden, measuring 37.55 mm (w) x 42.88 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A Wehrmacht 25-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer device, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised number “25”, unmarked, measuring 40.07 mm (w) x 44.48 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. A Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENST IN DER WEHRAMCHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a central raised number “12” situated within a circular oak leaf wreath, unmarked, measuring 29.94 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

8. A Baden Commemorative Medal for 1906, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing raised and rightward-facing profiles of Grand Duke Friedrich and Grand Duchess Luise, circumscribed by names and dates “1856-1906”, the reverse bearing mirrored coats of arms similarly situated above dates “1856-1906”, unmarked, measuring 35.32 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

9. An Austrian Military Merit Cross, III Class, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with white enameled arms trimmed with red borders, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a raised and gilded inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), situated within a circular red enameled ring, the reverse with plain white enameled arms and centrepiece, without visible marks, measuring 30.38 mm in diameter, demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

10. A Swedish Order of the Sword, II Class Knight's Cross, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross in saltire, with white enameled arms completing in ball finials and joined through the quadrants by crowns, the obverse overlaid by a central blue enameled medallion bearing a gilt sword surrounded by three crowns, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crossed sword claps, the reverse overlaid by a central blue enameled medallion bearing a gilt laurel crown pierced by a sword, in turn topped by an inscription of “PRO PATRIA” (“FOR THE FATHERLAND”), the twelve o’clock arm topped by an arabesque suspension culminating in a hollow crown connecting to an original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 37.36 mm (w) x 55.56 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and chipping to the enamels of both the arms and sword clasp, in better than very fine condition.

All suspended from a 23 cm-long bar with a zink alloy core, horizontal pinback, and green wool reverse liner, unmarked, a stunning bar to a highly-decorated General who rendered extensive military service in extremely fine condition.

Secreted with a customized period case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the interior with a padded white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former bearing a gilt inscription of “TREUE UM TREUE” (“LOYALTY BEGETS LOYALTY”), with a black velvet medal bed, fastening closed with dual functional bronzed magnetic metal snap buttons, unmarked, measuring 25 cm (w) x 9.5 cm (l) x 3 cm (h), demonstrating only minor material fatigue, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Kurt Edgar Hermann Cuno Wilhelm Freiherr Röder von Diersburg was born in Braunschweig on 29 February 1884 to Oberst Egenolf Wilhelm Adolf Benno Freiherr Röder von Diersburg and his wife Lucie, née Grotian. He joined the Prussian Army on 1 August 1904, and was later attached to 1. Badisches Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Großherzog Nr. 14 in Karlsruhe. Promoted to Fähnrich on 10 March 1904, he attended a military academy and was subsequently elevated to Leutnant on 27 January 1905. He remained assigned to his original field artillery regiment through the remainder of the decade, later succeeding Leutnant Freiherr von Tettau as Adjutant to I. Abteilung. He was then assigned to a military technical academy from 1 October 1910 to 15 July 1914, receiving a promotion to Oberleutnant in the interim, with a further elevation to Hauptmann on 24 December 1914. With the outbreak of the First World War, von Diersburg was assigned as Adjutant to 29. Reserve-Feldartillerie-Brigade, later transferring to 29. Brigade. On 28 November 1916 he was assigned to an artillery testing commission within the War Ministry, and the following month became a consultant, holding this position until 22 March 1918. For his service, he received a Black Grade Wound Badge, the 1914 Iron Cross in both II and I Classes, and numerous other distinctions.

Following the end of the war, von Diersburg remained in military service after being accepted into the provisional Reichsheer on 1 October 1919, and was subsequently deployed to the War Ministry in Berlin, where he was once again selected as an artillery consultant within the 100,000-man Army. On 11 October 1921, he married Sogia Pauline Margaretha Charlotte Dumrath, daughter of Generalleutnant Konrad Dumrath. He subsequently held a number of chief and staff appointments throughout the 1920s, and was later employed at the Army Weapons Office. Remaining in service following the Reichswehr’s mutation into the Wehrmacht, he was again promoted to Oberst on 1 October 1933, later becoming a Department Chief. A further promotion to Generalmajor came on 1 October 1936, and was assigned to a high-level military procurement position in Cologne. Continuing to distinguish himself, von Diersburg was elevated to Generalleutnant on 1 June 1938. Remaining in his procurement role, he received glowing reviews from Wehrmacht commanding Generals, including Generaloberst Friedrch Fromm. Captured by American forces on 13 April 1945, he remained in US custody before being released on 10 March 1947. After retiring to private life in Cologne, von Diersburg died on 3 September 1974 as the most senior member of the Röder von Diersburg noble family.