Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords and Case, by Kerbach & Oesterhelt

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and flattened pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Kerbach & Oesterhelt, Dresden, measuring 48.42 mm (w) x 48.67 mm (h), weighing 23.6 grams, accompanied by its original presentation case, constructed of a pressed card stock frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered depiction of the award, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former maker marked “KERBACH & OSTERHELT, DRESDEN A. I.”, with a slotted black felt medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 24 mm (h), demonstrating a consistent patina throughout the cross with some material fatigue to the case, in near extremely fine condition.