Germany, Heer. A Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross, 1957 Version with Wartime Signed Letter, from the Estate of Generalmajor Gustav Boehringer

(Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes Ausführug 1957 mit Brief). Constructed of neusilber, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central circular oak leaf wreath surrounding a pebbled void, the reverse bearing a central circular oak leaf wreath surrounding a raised date of “1939”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by two ribbed bars culminating in an eyelet and suspension ring retaining a period original shortened length of neck ribbon, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, as an exhibition example and veteran’s replacement piece, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, measuring 25 mm in length and featuring a horizontal pinback, in extremely fine condition, also accompanied by a typewritten letter, featuring the letterhead of Generalmajor Gustav Boehringer in his capacity as General of Engineers of Army Group South, dated 13 July 1943, and addressed to Professor Dr. Rode of Wehrgeologenstab (Military Geology Staff) Wannsee, responding to Rode’s request for a position with Army Group A (rendered null by Boehringer’s transfer to Army Group South), expressing gratitude for his receipt of the War Merit Cross I Class and for souvenir photos, and following up on lectures in geology at the military engineer school in Munich, closing with a handwritten signature, measuring 21 cm (w) x 29.5 cm (h), demonstrating some creasing and discolouration, a period accompaniment in very fine condition.