Germany, Wehrmacht. A Fine Veteran’s Souvenir Hanger Featuring Awards and Insignia for Combatants

(Wehrmacht Konvolut). A collection of battlefield-retrieved awards and insignia, presented black leather hanger, collected and presented by an Allied serviceman as a memento of his combat career, primarily featuring Wehrmacht awards and insignia, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from 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 mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, unmarked, measuring 44.23 mm (w) x 47.82 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of brass and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened brass core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a block hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “15” for Friedrich Orth, Vienna, but using the frame of Rudolf Souval, in keeping with frequent wartime collaboration between these two Vienna-based firms, measuring 43.98 mm (w) x 43.92 mm (h), demonstrating some loss of finish to the core which exposes the brass base metal, in better than very fine condition.

3. A General Assault Badge, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, surrounding a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, situated above a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch emanating from a rectangular plate, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a documented variant produced by an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.75 mm (w) x 53.67 mm (h), demonstrating loss of silver finish throughout the base metal, a late-war example in very fine condition.

4. A Silver Grade Wound Badge, constructed of silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central raised Stahhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on pebbled field, the reverse with a narrow barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “13” for Gustav Brehmer, Markneukirchen, measuring 36.88 mm (w) x 44.50 mm (h), demonstrating loss of finish throughout the base metal, with some oxidation to the reverse and bending of the catch also visible, in very fine condition.

5. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of toned and silvered 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 an 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 “85” for Julius Pietsch, Gablonz, measuring 35.78 mm (w) x 44.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A DRL Sports Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a ribbon defaced by a mobile swastika, surrounding stylized initials “DRL”, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, maker marked “WERNSTEIN, JENA”, measuring 38.40 mm (w) x 48.60 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. An HJ Proficiency Badge, Silver Grade, constructed of aluminum, the obverse consisting of a Tiwaz rune, overlaid by a central mobile swastika, surrounded by a ribbed ring bearing an inscription of “FÜR LEISTUNGEN IN DER H.J.” (“FOR MERIT IN THE H.J.”), the reverse with a vertical pinback, stamped with an award number of “23249”, marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code “M1/34” for Karl Wurster, Markneukirchen, measuring 30.45 mm (w) x 51.26 mm (h), in very fine condition.

8. A Heer Panzer Troops Feldwebel shoulder strap, constructed of black wool, trimmed with rose-pink piping, bordered by a silver aluminum wire tresse, and pinned with a silvered metal pip, the reverse with an integral strap perforated with a reinforced buttonhole, unmarked, measuring 45 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), demonstrating moderate material fatigue and soiling, in very fine condition.

9. A Heer identification tag, constructed of zink, the obverse bearing a double-stamped inscription of “3/B. A. 3” (Bau-Abteilung, construction unit), with a blood type of “O” and identification number of “35”, perforated with three eyelets for suspension, measuring 70 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), in very fine condition.