Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards

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

1. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked but demonstrating the physical characteristics of manufacture by Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 43.74 mm (w) x 43.75 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, demonstrating loss of finish to the core which has exposed the classic copper plating characteristic of Deumer, in better than very fine condition. 

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronzed zink, 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 47.39 mm (w) x 48.65 mm (h), weighing 15.4 grams, demonstrating loss of finished throughout, in very fine condition. 

3. 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 48.87 mm (w) x 49.09 mm (h), weighing 18.5 grams, demonstrating oxidation throughout in addition to damage of the three o’clock arm, in fair condition.

4. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a raised German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZ DEUTSCHLANDS (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 33.21 mm (w) x 45.53 mm (h), weighing 15.5 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating loss of finish and minor oxidation throughout, in very fine condition. 

5. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original 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 35.51 mm (w) x 45.54 mm (h), weighing 14.6 grams (inclusive of ribbon), in near extremely fine condition. 

6. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension, 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, unmarked, measuring 42.49 mm (w) x 46.79 mm (h), weighing 16.9 grams, in extremely fine condition. 

7. An unusual Iron Cross commemorative badge, constructed of patinated magnetic metal, horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 42 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.