Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards

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

1. 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”, the suspension loop maker marked with an illegible Präsidialkanzlei code, measuring 48.71 mm (w) x 49.52 mm (h), weighing 14.0 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

2. 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 48.88 mm (w) x 48.90 mm (h), weighing 23.8 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of beige paper stock the exterior bearing an inscription of “KRIEGS-VERDIENSTKREUZ 2. KLASSE” and a maker’s mark of “OCHS & BONN, HANAU/MAIN”, measuring 105 mm (w) x 130 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central raised Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 37.48 mm (w) x 44.30 mm (h), weighing 9.9 grams, accompanied by a mis-matched package of issue, constructed of light beige paper stock, the exterior bearing a maker’s mark of “PETER WILH. HEB, LÜDENSCHEID”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), intended for a West Wall medal, in overall near extremely fine condition.

4. 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 branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “3” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 36.01 mm (w) x 44.31 mm (h), weighing 20.5 grams, accompanied by a mismatched and partially-intact package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “MEDAILLE ‘WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42’ (OSTMEDAILLE)” and an illegible maker’s mark, measuring 60 mm (w) x 80 mm (h), demonstrating extensive oxidation and loss of finish to the medal, in fair condition.

5. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from a postwar replacement ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 32.16 mm in diameter, weighing 12.2 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

6. A pair of West Wall Medals, each constructed of bronzed zink, on loops for suspension from postwar replacement ribbons, each consisting of oval oak leaf wreaths, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbons, the obverse of each bearing a raised pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse of each bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANY”), both unmarked, measuring 33.38 mm (w) x 45.60 mm (h), and weighing 16.0 grams, accompanied by period original packages of issue, constructed of light beige paper stock, the exterior of each bearing an inscription of “DEUTSCHES SCHUTZWALL-EHRENZEICHEN”, one bearing a maker’s mark of “CARL POELLATH, SCHROBENHAUSEN”, each measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), both medals demonstrating loss of bronze finish, in overall better than very fine condition.