Germany, Third Reich. A Rare Order of the German Eagle, Grand Cross with Swords, Privately-Purchased Example by Gebrüder Godet

(Deutsches Adlerorden, Großkreuz mit Schwertern). Instituted 1 May 1937. (1939-1943 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms, joined together through the quadrants by NSDAP-style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastikas on white enameled discs, the obverse overlaid across the three and nine o’clock arm with a pair of crossed swords, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a fan suspension culminating in a loop and ring, the latter maker marked with LDO code “L/50” indicating a privately-purchased example produced Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, flanked by a silver content number of “900”, measuring 59.77 mm (w) x 67.26 mm (h), weighing 39.0 grams, accompanied by a length of sash ribbon missing its rosette and spring clip, demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels and moderate loss of gilt finish throughout the base metal, a scarce and jeweller-quality example in extremely fine condition.