Germany, Third Reich. A Lot of Five Service Decorations

A grouping of five Third Reich German medals, awards, and decorations consisting of:

1. An Eastern Front Medal by Fritz Zimmermann. (Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/1942 - “Ostmedaille”). Instituted May 26th 1942. (1942-1944 Issue). Constructed of silvered and patinated zinc, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42) above a crossed sword and lauren branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and a stick grenade, marked “6.” on the ring for manufacture by Fritz Zimmermann of Stuttgart, accompanied by its shortened narrow period original ribbon and boutonniere, measuring 35.6 mm (w) x 44.2 mm (l), weighing 19.34 grams, in very fine condition. 

2. A Sudetenland Anschluss Medal. (Sudetenland Medaille). Instituted October 18th, 1938. (1938-1940 issue). A round bronze medal, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension from its period original sewn-on 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 32.1 mm in diameter, weighing 14.49 grams inclusive of its ribbon, in better than very fine condition.

3. A West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen). Instituted August 2nd, 1939. Constructed of bronzed feinzink, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension, the obverse with a crossed shovel and sword in the centre, and a concrete pillbox/bunker directly below, as well as with the German national eagle above, all within an oak leaf wreath, the reverse inscribed “Für Arbeit zum schutze Deutschlands” (For labour for the protection of Germany) within an oak wreath, unmarked, accompanied by a modern replacement ribbon, measuring 33.4 mm (w) x 45.6 mm (l), weighing 14.56 grams, with some loss of its bronze finish, in overall near very fine condition. 

4. An Austria Anschluss Medal. (Anschluss Medaille). Instituted March 13th, 1938 (1938-1940 issue). A round silvered bronze medal, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension, 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 “13. März 1938”,  circumscribed by an inscription of “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” (“One People, One Nation, One Leader”), unmarked, accompanied by a faded period original ribbon, measuring 32.1 mm in diameter, weighing 12.75 grams, in better than fine condition. 

5. A Mother’s Cross Bronze Grade (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter in Bronze). Instituted December 16th, 1938. (1939-1945 issue). Constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on a fixed loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with arms joined through the quadrants by stylized rays, the obverse of each with blue enameled arms, all bearing central white enameled medallions overlaid by black swastikas circumscribed by raised inscriptions of “Der Deutschen Mutter” (To the German Mother), the reverse of each bearing an etched institution date of “16. Dezember 1938” and a signature of the Führer, unmarked, measuring 35.9 mm (w) x 45.8 mm (l), weighing 15.07 grams inclusive of its ribbon, accompanied by a paper packet of issue, the obverse with “Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter, Dritte Stufe” in black lettering, marked “Julius Maurer, Oberstein an der Nahe” on the reverse, measuring 103 mm (w) x 131 mm (l), the paper packet crinkled but all in overall near extremely fine condition.