Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of awards, including:

1. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, 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 an banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “3” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 47.25 mm (w) x 47.35 mm (h), weighing 19.9 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of silver finish, a late-war example in very fine condition.

2. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 32.24 mm in diameter, weighing 12.7 grams, demonstrating some tarnishing and surface oxidation to the base metal, in very fine condition.

3. A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with horizontal pinback, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 41.00 mm (w) x 45.90 mm (h), weighing 21.8 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in extremely fine condition.

4. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Silver Grade, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original shortened ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with its arms joined through the quadrants by stylized rays, the obverse with blue and white enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black swastika, circumscribed by a raised inscription of “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” (“TO THE GERMAN MOTHER”), the reverse bearing an etched institution date of “16. DEZEMBER 1938” and a signature of the Führer, unmarked, measuring 35.74 mm (w) x 45.70 mm (h), weighing 11.8 grams (inclusive of ribbon), accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of slate-grey paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “EHRENKREUZ DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER ZWEITER STUFE” and a maker’s mark of “FERD. HOFFSTÄTTER, BONN”, measuring 105 mm (w) x 130 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and scratching to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.