Prussia, Kingdom. A Pour Le Mérite, By J. H. Werner, C.1916

(Pour le Mérite). Instituted in June 1740 by Frederick II of Prussia. In gilded silver, presenting as a blue-enamelled Maltese cross, with four open beaked eagles between the cross arms, each carefully hand-etched and detailed and held solidly in their respective positions, the obverse centre with typical and expected Roman style gold lettering on the obverse as well as a finely detailed gold crown, the reverse presents plain blue enamel, the blue enameling is solidly in place within the frame, bottom arm marked (engraved) J.H.W. for J.H. Werner, measuring 52.28 mm (w) x 52.06 mm (h), weighing 23.3 grams, on loop for suspension from partial period original ribbon, cross shows signs of moderate wear, it has one tiny enamel flake on obverse, with original neck ribbon, nice old patina, in about extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Undoubtedly made by Wagner, from the same dies circa 1916-18, but retailed by the firm J. H. Werner. Interestingly, the cross-hatching on the eagles breasts, not normally associated with Wagner (or Friedlander) crosses, could most likely have been the J. H. Werner firms attempt to “personalize” this otherwise textbook Wagner style cross. The great majority of PLM’s on the market are made/marked by Wagner (to lesser extent, by Friedländer), while J.H.W. marked crosses are extremely rare, perhaps few retailed by this firm. This cross had been discussed in length on Wehrmacht Awards Forum: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212705