Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords and Award Document to Unteroffizier Franz Kern, Stalag 387

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern und Verleihungsurkunde). Constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from 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”, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “41” for Gebrüder Bender, Oberstein, measuring 46.68 mm (w) x 48.36 mm (h), weighing 18.9 grams, accompanied by a mis-matched package of issue, constructed of beige paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ 2. KLASSE MIT SCHWERTERN” and a maker’s mark of “WILH. DEUMER, LÜDENSCHEID”, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 13 cm (h), in extremely fine condition; also accompanied by its original award document, named to “UFFZ. RUDOLF KERN” of Stalag 387, issued from headquarters on 15 November 1943, certified by the facsimile signature of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein, measuring 14 cm (w) x 20 cm (h), demonstrating some folding creases, in better than very fine condition, and; a character report Stalag 387, featuring a brief typewritten and laudatory report on Kern, dated 28 January 1944, measuring 21 cm (w) x 29.5 cm (h), demonstrating some folding creases, in better than very fine condition.