Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Lot of Awards and Accessories to a Kriegsmarine Sailor in the Mediterranean Theatre

(Kriegsmarine Auszeichnungen und Zubehör). A lot of awards and accessories to a decorated Kriegsmarine sailor who spent part of his career in the Mediterranean theatre, including:

1. 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 47.63 mm (w) x 47.92 mm (h), weighing 18.5 grams, demonstrating minor oxidation, in very fine condition.

2. A Minesweeper War Badge, constructed of gilded and silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Kriegsmarine eagle clutching a mobile swastika, around a central depiction of an exploding sea mine, the reverse with a block hinge, unmarked, measuring 43.69 mm (w) x 24.2 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of finish in addition to the absence of the pinback and catch, in fair condition.

3. A Kriegsmarine identification tag, constructed of gilded aluminum, the obverse bearing a double-stamped inscription of “KRIEGSMARINE 2298/44”, perforated with three holes, two of which accommodate a multi-link neck chain, and one of which secures in place two aluminum Roman Catholic devotional medallions, in overall near extremely fine condition.

4. Two Kriegsmarine tunic buttons, both constructed of fire gilded aluminum, the obverse of each bearing a raised fouled anchor, the reverse of each with a lug, both featuring distinct F.W. Assmann & Söhne maker marked and measuring 25 mm in diameter, in overall extremely fine condition.

5. A Kriegsmarine cap tally ribbon, constructed of black rayon, the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered gold bullion wire inscription of “KRIEGSMARINE”, unmarked, measuring 3 cm (w) x 46.5 cm (l), in shortened and very fine condition.

6. A studio portrait depicting the owner, in uniform and with the Minesweeper War Badge and War Merit Cross ribbon clearly visible, the reverse bearing a handwritten dedication to the subject’s aunt and/or uncle, identifying the sailor as Walter, issued from Saloniki (Greece), and date 31 March 1944, measuring 8.5 cm (w) x 12.5 cm (h), in near extremely fine condition.