Germany, Wehrmacht. A Medal and Order Bar for World War and Freikorps Service

(Ordensschnalle). A superb medal and order bar featuring an extensive array of decorations, including:

1. A 1914 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 initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o'clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 42.65 mm (w) x 47.87 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A miniature 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, constructed of silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of a Wehrmacht eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, in turn situated above a trapezoidal plaque bearing a date of “1939”, the reverse retaining an attachment prong, unmarked, measuring 14.00 mm (w) x 13.78 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

3. A House Order of Hohenzollern, Military Division, Knight’s Cross, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms trimmed with black borders, with a circular green enameled laurel and oak leaf joining each arm through the quadrants and with a pair of crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted Hohenzollern eagle, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a silvered inscription of “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”) with laurel branches, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension connecting to a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm maker marked with the logo of Johann Wagner, Berlin, with a silver content mark of “938”, measuring 39.36 mm (w) x 59.04 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central 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”), topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, without visible marks, measuring 36.09 mm (w) x 44.40 mm (h), demonstrating moderate loss of finish, in very fine condition.

5. A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms and a central silvered and enameled Hamburg coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 39.82 mm (w) x 45.14 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

6. A Lübeck Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms and a central silvered and enameled Lübeck coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 39.91 mm (w) x 44.20 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.

7. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Ernst Schneider, Lüdenscheid, measuring 37.50 mm (w) x 42.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A Baltic Cross, constructed of blackened and gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a narrow Geneva Cross, the obverse overlaid by a gilded Lily Cross, the reverse with two visible rivets securing the obverse applique in place, unmarked, measuring 45.22 mm (W) x 49.60 mm (h), a scarce non-pinback variant produced c. 1940, in extremely fine condition.

9. A Wehrmacht 25-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with a Luftwaffe device, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central number “25”, unmarked, measuring 40.24 mm (w) x 45.01 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

10. A Wehrmacht 12 Year-Long Service Award, constructed of magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with a Luftwaffe device, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “12”, unmarked, measuring 29.91 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

11. 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, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, 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 32.18 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 22 cm-long bar with a non-magnetic metal core, red wool liner, and horizontal pinback, retaining a fully-intact maker’s label reading “F. THIEL & SOHN, ROSTOCK”, in extremely fine condition.