Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, by Paul Meybauer, Berlin

(Eisernes Kreuze 1939 I. Klasse). Constructed of iron and silver, 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 with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch emanating from an oval base plate, the pinback maker marked with LDO code “L/13” for Paul Meybauer, Berlin, measuring 44.51 mm (w) x 44.42 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, the cross demonstrates crude refinishing with evidence of surface oxidation, the catch has been replaced, and a rivet has been punished through the reverse of the six o’clock arm for an unknown purpose, a refurbished example in fair condition.