Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards for Combatants

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of awards for Second World War combatants, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from 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 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”, unmarked, measuring 43.85 mm (w) x 47.68 mm (h), weighing 17.1 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central raised Stahlhelm overlaid by a mobile swastika, on top of crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “32” for Wilhelm Hobacher, Vienna, measuring 37.01 mm (w) x 44.49 mm (h), weighing 12.5 grams, demonstrating minor surface oxidation, a scarce variant in better than very fine condition.

3. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold (Austrian issue) ribbon, 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 Stahlhlem and stick grenade, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “108” for Arno Wallpach, Salzburg, measuring 36.16 mm (w) x 44.42 mm (h), weighing 18.5 grams, demonstrating loss of finish throughout, in very fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht Driver Proficiency Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath surrounding a steering wheel, the reverse retaining one attachment clip, unmarked, measuring 39.94 mm (w) x 43.91 mm (h), weighing 4.3 grams, missing its backplate and liner in addition to the remaining prongs, in very fine condition.

5. Also including an Arbeitsbuch, constructed of a card stock binding with 38 paginated interior pages, lightly filled with handwritten and stamped entries to Maria (Miki) Keppler (née Niessner), an employee of a Vienna wholesaler as of January 1939, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.