Germany, Imperial. A Superb Lot of Orders, Awards, and Documents to Major Günter Schmidt von Knobelsdorf

(Major Günter Schmidt von Knobelsdorf, Orden, Auszeichnungen, und Dokumente). A superb and complete lot of orders, awards, and documents to Major Günter Schmidt von Knobelsdorf, consisting of:

1. A medal bar featuring seven decorations, including:

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 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 42.55 mm (w) x 46.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition/

A Saxon Albert Order, II Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Latin Cross with white enameled arms and crossed swords piercing the centre, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and rightward-facing profile of Duke Albert III, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “ALBERTUS ANIMOSUS” (“ALBERT THE BOLD”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and enameled Saxon coat of arms, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “1850” with arabesques, topped by an suspension ring connecting to a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm maker marked with the logo of G.A. Scharffenberg, Dresden, measuring 34.55 mm (w) x 44.58 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and loss of gilt finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, with some rotation of the obverse profile also evident, in near extremely fine condition.

A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a gilded and white enameled belt and buckle, bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a gilded and white enameled belt and buckle, bearing a gilt institution date of “1866” with arabesques, without visible marks, measuring 41.08 mm (w) x 46.02 mm (h), demonstrating a consistent patina throughout the base metal and minor flecking to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.

A Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms situated within ribbed borders, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV, the six o’clock arm bearing an institution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a royal crown, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE” (“FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 41.00 mm (w) x 45.45 mm (h), in near mint condition.

An Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross, II Class, constructed of blackened magnetic iron, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich August, the six o’clock arm bearing an institution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing royal crown, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with a combatant’s clasp, unmarked, measuring 40.21 mm (w) x 44.74 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

A Braunschweig War Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of patinated 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 oak leaf clusters, the six o’clock arm bearing an institution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a royal crown, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.15 mm (w) x 34.76 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered Hamburg coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 39.95 mm (w) x 45.38 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and scratching to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 175 mm-long bar featuring a bronze core, horizontal pinback, and grey wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.

2. A pair of ribbon bars, including one featuring eight decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, a Bavarian Order of Military Merit, a Saxon Albert Order with Swords, an Oldenburg Friedrich August Medal, a Mecklenburg Schwerin Military Merit Cross II Class, a Braunschweig Military Merit Cross II Class, a Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, and an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, all set on a 120 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback and light grey rayon liner, demonstrating minor fatigue to the ribbons, in near extremely fine condition, and; one featuring ten decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, a 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, a War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, a Bavarian Order of Military Merit, a Saxon Albert Order with Swords, an Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross, a Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, a Braunschweig War Merit Cross, a Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, and an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, all set on a 135 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, demonstrating some fatigue and soiling to the ribbons, in better than very fine condition.

3. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from 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 an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.20 mm (w) x 41.54 mm (h), weighing 14.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

4. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, 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 48.72 mm (w) x 48.96 mm (h), weighing 24.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.

5. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and flattened vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 48.30 mm (w) x 48.15 mm (h), weighing 20.6 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered depiction of the award, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted black felt medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, Type II, constructed of silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of a Wehrmacht eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, in turn situated above a trapezoidal plaque bearing a raised date of “1939” on a pebbled background, the reverse retaining four cut-down attachment prongs, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacturer by Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 30.60 mm (w) x 30.67 mm (h), weighing 6.8 grams, demonstrating no damage or wear beyond modification of the attachment hardware, in extremely fine condition.

All beautifully presented in a customized and high-quality display case, constructed of a wooden frame with a black velvet liner with depressed cells, measuring 21 cm (w) x 29.5 cm (h).

7. An award document for a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of paper with black ink, named to Schmidt von Knobelsdorf as an Oberleutnant of 2. Garde-Ulanen Regiment, dated 10 October 1914, measuring 21 cm (w) x 16.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. An award document for a Saxon Albert Order, II Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of paper with black ink, named to Schmidt von Knobelsdorf in hit capacity as an Oberleutnant, dated 19 November 1915 and certified by facsimile signatures, measuring 22.5 cm (w) x 34.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor discolouration and creasing, in near extremely fine condition.

9. An award document for a Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of paper with black ink, named to Schmidt von Knobelsdorf in his capacity as an Oberleutnant of 2. Garde-Ulanen Regiment, dated 3 July 1916, certified by the handwritten signature of the Ordens-Kanzler, measuring 21 cm (w) x 33 mm (h), demonstrating a single folding crease, in near extremely fine condition.

10. A letter submitted alongside the Clasp to the Iron Cross already awarded to Schmidt von Knobelsdorf, dated 16 December 1941, certified by the handwritten signature of General Franz von Roques, measuring 21 cm (w) x 30 cm (h), demonstrating some folding creases, in near extremely fine condition.

11. A mixed lot of six promotion and performance documents, issued to Schmidt von Knobelsdorf in the pre-war and First World War periods, in overall near extremely fine condition. 

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