Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of award, 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 raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSVERDIENST” (“FOR WAR MERIT”), unmarked, measuring 32.43 mm in diameter, weighing 13.7 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, 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”, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “14” for L. Christina Lauer, Nuremberg, measuring 48.60 mm (w) x 48.39 mm (h), weighing 20.0 grams, in near mint condition.

3. An Infantry Assault Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronzed zink, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, diagonally across the badge is a Karabiner 98k rifle with the bayonet attached and the carrying sling hanging from the rifle, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback, maker marked with the logo of Rudolf Souval, Vienna, measuring 47.03 mm (w) x 61.67 mm (h), weighing 31.2 grams, demonstrating near-total loss of finish to the base metal with minor oxidation, in addition to the loss of the catch, a late-war Souval example featuring a transitional design in very fine condition.

4. A General Assault Badge, constructed of magnetic steel, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, surrounding a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, situated above a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with the logo of F.W. Assmann & Söhne, Lüdenscheid, measuring 42.70 mm (w) x 53.30 mm (h), weighing 24.3 grams, demonstrating minor surface oxidation throughout, a late-period award and scarce example of the only noted magnetic version of the General Assault Badge in very fine condition.

5. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension, 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, unmarked, measuring 35.00 mm (w) x 45.32 mm (h), weighing 12.5 grams, demonstrating minor scratching and loss of finish to the enamels and base metal, respectively, in very fine condition.