Germany, Wehrmacht. A Long Service Medal Bar for an Eastern Front Combatant

(Ordensschnalle). A medal for Wehrmacht long service to an Eastern Front combatant featuring an unusual (and non-regulation) combination of six awards, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original early-issue 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”, without visible marks, measuring 43.96 mm (w) x 49.62 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 48.67 mm (w) x 49.52 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “WINTERSCHALCHT 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, without visible marks, measuring 36.08 mm (w) x 44.40 mm (h), demonstrating loss off finish throughout, in very fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), unmarked, measuring 30.42 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

5. A second Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Luftwaffe device, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), unmarked, measuring 30.16 mm in diameter, demonstrating some loss of silver finish throughout the base metal, in very fine condition.

6. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronzed feinzink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a double-sided oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZ DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 33.34 mm (w) x 45.17 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 170 mm-long bar with a brass core, horizontal pinback, and field-grey wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor material fatigue, an interesting bar featuring an unusual combination of awards and likely of unofficial assembly, in near extremely fine condition.