Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). An extensive mixed lot of awards, including:

1 A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSVERDIENST 1939”, unmarked, measuring 32.40 mm in diameter, weighing 12.9 grams, in near mint condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, 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”, unmarked, measuring 48.75 mm (w) x 49.14 mm (h), weighing 21.0 grams, weighing 21.0 grams, demonstrating some bending of the six o’clock arm, in extremely fine condition.

3. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and patinated zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel and branch, the suspension loop maker marked “13” for Gustav Brehmer, Markneukirchen, measuring 36.32 mm (w) x 44.52 mm (h), weighing 21.8 grams, demonstrating moderate loss of finish, in better than very fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “4”, unmarked, measuring 30.43 mm in diameter, weighing 11.0 grams, demonstrating some surface oxidation, in very fine condition.

5. An Anschluss Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from a period replacement ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, the reverse bearing a central raised date of “13. MÄRZ 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 32.14 mm in diameter, weighing 12.5 grams, in very fine condition.

6. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a double-sided oval oak leaf wreath, joined together a the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 32.88 mm (w) x 45.31 mm (h), weighing 21.8 grams (inclusive of ribbon), accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of beige paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “DEUTSCHES SCHUTZWALL-EHRENZEICHEN” and a maker’s mark of “CARL POELLATH, SCHROBENHAUSEN”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in near mint condition.

7. A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension from a period replacement ribbon, 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 42.02 mm (w) x 46.66 mm (h), weighing 20.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.

8. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from an original Third Reich-period ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, the suspension loop stamped with a partially-legible maker’s mark which appears to be “S-W” for Sy & Wagner, Berlin, measuring 43.33 mm (w) x 47.38 mm (h), weighing 18.3 grams, in near extremely fine condition.