Germany, Wehrmacht. A Medal Bar for an Afrikakorps Serviceman

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar featuring three awards, including: 

1. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with 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”, without visible marks, measuring 48.14 mm (w) x 49.55 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. An Italian War Merit Cross, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Greek Cross, the obverse bearing a central raised five-pointed star in a radiant background, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “MERITO DI GUERRA” (“WAR MERIT”), topped by a monogram of King Victor Emmanuel III, and situate above a sword wrapped in oak leaves, unmarked, measuring 37.71 mm (w) x 43.33 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. An Italian-German African Campaign Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original German-issue ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised depiction of two gladiators (representing Italy and Germany) grappling with a crocodile (representing Great Britain), the reverse bearing a central depiction of the Arco dei Fileni, flanked by a fasces and swastika, and circumscribed by an inscription of “ITALIAN-GERMAN CAMPAIGN IN AFRICA” in both Italian and German, the obverse maker marked “LORIOLI, MILANO”, measuring 30.85 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 95 mm-long bar with a zink ore, horizontal pinback, and brown rayon liner, unmarked, a superb example issued to an Afrikakorps serviceman in extremely fine condition.