Germany, Federal Republic. An Order Of Merit, Knight Commander With Case, By Steinhauer & Lück

(Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern). Instituted in 1951. Badge: three-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and black enamels, measuring 60.5 mm (w) x 71.5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, on its original full-length neck ribbon with clasp; and Breast Star: four-piece construction, cross insignia in silver gilt with red and black enamels, mounted to a multi-rayed star base in silver gilt, measuring 79.5 mm (w) x 79.3 mm (h), vertical pinback, chipping and/or loss evident in the red enamels on the arms at 9 and 12 o'clock. Together, better than very fine. Accompanied by its 10.8 mm (w) x 8.5 mm (h) Ribbon Bar with clasp and button hole attachment, two 11.3 mm (w) x 8.5 mm (h) Stickpins on 37 mm and 39.5 mm long pins respectively, along with its Award Explanation Card, in their hardshelled case of issue, steel blue dimpled exterior, maker marked "STEINHAUER & LÜCK Lüdenscheid" on the bottom, Federal Republic of Germany coat-of-arms in gold-coloured ink on the lid and on the white satin inside lid, navy blue felt medal bed with recessed areas for the badge, its neck ribbon and the breast star, case extremely fine.

Footnote: The  Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was instituted on September 7, 1951. It was awarded for achievements contributing to the peaceful rise of the Federal Republic of Germany.