Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords and Case, Late-War Example by Wilhelm Deumer

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered zink, 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 block hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch emanating from a circular plate, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “3” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 47.33 mm (w) x 47.32 mm (h), weighing 17.6 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a pressed card stock 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, unmarked, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 15 mm (h), demonstrating near-total loss of silver finish to the base metal and an unusual transitional round wire catch on a plate which demonstrates poor application or a period repair, a late-war example in overall very fine condition.

Footnote: This example was retrieved by a United States serviceman in the field during the Second World War, and hails directly from his estate without previously being available on the collector market.