Germany, Third Reich. A Lot of Four Service Decorations

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

1. An Eastern Front Medal with a packet of issue from Gustav Brehmer (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 laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and a stick grenade, marked on the ring but illegible, accompanied by its shortened narrow period original ribbon, measuring 36.0 mm (w) x 44.5 mm (l), weighing 20.93 grams, accompanied by its paper packet of issue with “Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/1942 (Ostmedaille)” printed in black lettering on the front, the reverse maker marked “Gustav Brehmer, Markneukirchen”, measuring 57 mm (w) x 101 mm (l), in overall near very fine condition. 

2. A West Wall Medal with a packet of issue from Karl Poellath (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, measuring 33.3 mm (w) x 45.6 mm (l), weighing 14.21 grams, accompanied by a modern replacement ribbon and paper packet of issue with “Deusches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen” printed in black lettering on the front, the reverse marker marked “Karl Poellath, Schrobenhausen”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (l), weighing 14.23 grams, in overall better than very fine condition.

3. A War Merit Medal (Kriegsverdienstmedaille). Instituted August 19th, 1940. Constructed of bronze, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “Für Kriegsverdienst 1939” (For War Merit 1939), unmarked, accompanied by a period original boutonniere and modern replacement ribbon, measuring 32.5 mm in diameter, weighing 13.84 grams, in better than fine condition. 

4. An Iron Cross 1939 Second Class by Franz Reischauer. (Eisernes Kreuz 1939 II. Klasse) Reinstituted September 1st, 1939. (1939-1945 issue). Constructed of iron and silver on a fixed loop and ring for suspension, 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”, the ring marked “132” for manufacture by Franz Reischauer of Idar-Oberstein and supplied by a used period original ribbon, measuring 44.0 mm (w) x 44.1 mm (l), weighing 17.46 grams, a textbook example by this maker evident from the off-center beading on the top of the 12 o’clock arm where the fixed loop attaches to the frame, with light to medium patina on the silver frame from age, the core slightly loose within the frame, in overall very fine condition.