Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Packaged Awards

(Auszeichungen). A mixed lot of awards, including:

1. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 32.21 mm in diameter, weighing 14.1 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “KRIEGSVERDIENSTMEDAILLE 1939” and a maker’s mark of “WALTER & HENLEIN, GABLONZ A. R.”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h) and retaining an original wax paper liner, in near mint condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 49.09 mm (w) x 49.11 mm (h), weighing 14.3 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ 2. KLASSE OHNE SCHWERTER”, measuring 105 mm (w) x 130 mm (h) and accompanied by an original wax paper liner, the maker’s mark has been deliberately cut out of the package, in overall near mint condition.

3. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORKED IN THE DEFENCE OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 33.22 mm (w) x 45.60 mm (h), weighing 14.6 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of beige paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “DEUTSCHES SCHUTZWALL-EHRENZEICHEN” and a maker’s mark of “CARL POELLATH, SCHROBENHAUSEN”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), the medal demonstrating total loss of bronze finish, in overall very fine condition.

 4. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with its arms joined through the quadrants by stylized rays, the obverse with blue and white enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” (“TO THE GERMAN MOTHER”), the reverse bearing an etched institution date of “16. DEZEMBER 1938” and a signature of the Führer, measuring 35.46 mm (w) x 45.70 mm (h), weighing 16.2 grams (inclusive of ribbon), accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “EHRENKREUZ DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER DRITTE STUFE” and a maker’s mark of “DESCHLER & SOHN, MÜNCHEN”, measuring 105 mm (w) x 130 mm (h), demonstrating some flecking and scratching to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.