Germany, NSDAP. An Exceptionally Rare Prototype German Order with Swords

(Deutscher Orden mit Schwertern, Prototyp). A unique prototype German Order with Swords, constructed of a gilded bronze alloy with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with dark red enameled arms trimmed with gilt borders, joined together through the quadrants by finely-detailed NSDAP-style German national eagles, with talons connecting directly to central double-sided circular oak leaf wreaths, the reverse wreath surrounding a white enameled medallion to formerly present as a Golden Party Badge, the obverse twelve o’clock arm bearing a gilt inscription of “FÜR” (“FOR”), the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop retaining a ribbed suspension ring, with a crossed sword clasp emanating from the obverse of the ring, unmarked, measuring 50.06 mm (w) x 55.34 mm (h), the ring measuring 27.40 mm (w) x 21.90 mm (h), weighing 57.6 grams, the obverse medallion has been removed, gilt inscriptions on the three, six, and nine o’clock arms have been deliberately removed through chipping, smaller chips are visible to the reverse three, six, and nine o’clock arms, and the reverse medallion has similarly been deliberately chipped to render the features illegible, an exceptionally rare unissued prototype version of one of the Third Reich’s highest distinctions in very fine condition.

Footnote: The highest award of the NSDAP for services to party and state, the German Order was awarded only eleven times at the direct discretion of AH, and soon earned the moniker of the “Dead Hero Order”, as seven of its recipients were nominated posthumously, and two others were killed less than a month before the end of the war. This example is one of only two confirmed red enameled prototypes, and was previously offered to the collector market by Auktionshaus Andreas Thies eK. Notably, the reverse medallion remained fully intact at that time.