Germany, Wehrmacht. An Afrikakorps Medal Bar

(Ordenschnalle). A fine medal bar to a decorated Afrikakorps serviceman featuring a rare combination of four awards, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, 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 six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, without visible marks, measuring 44.06 mm (w) x 47.56 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with a Prague Castle Bar, 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 date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 32.17 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

3. An Italian Medal of Military Valour, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central wreathed coat of arms of the House of Savoy, circumscribed by an inscription of “AL VALORE MILITARE” (“FOR MILITARY VALOUR”), the reverse bearing a semi-circular laurel wreath, the obverse engraver marked “F.G.”, measuring 33.45 mm in diameter, demonstrating a consistent patina, in near extremely fine condition.

4. An Italian-German African Campaign Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original 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 raised depiction of the Arco dei Fileni, flanked by a fasces and swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “ITALIAN-GERMAN CAMPAIGN IN AFRICA” in both Italian and German, the obverse maker marked “LORIOLI, MILANO”, measuring 30.90 mm in diameter, affixed to the bar backwards, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 100 mm-long bar with a magnetic metal core, horizontal pinback, and grey rayon liner, unmarked, demonstrating exceptional quality of construction, a rare example in extremely fine condition.