Germany, Third Reich. A Medal Bar for Military, SS, and Civil Service

(Ordensschnalle). An interesting medal bar for a recipient with military service spanning both World Wars, parallel to SS and civil service, and featuring four awards, including:

1. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 37.27 mm (w) x 41.32 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with 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”, without visible marks, measuring 47.82 mm (w) x 47.70 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. An SS 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of blackened bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing central dual Sig runes situated within a circular oak leaf wreath, the reverse bearing a raised numeral “4” overlaid by an inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE SS”), unmarked, measuring 37.85 mm in diameter, demonstrating minor loss of finish to the base metal, in extremely fine condition.

4. An Air Defence Honour Decoration, II Class, constructed of aluminum, consisting of a double-sided circular oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM LUFTSCHUTZ” (“FOR MERIT IN AIR DEFENCE”), the reverse bearing a raised date of “1938”, unmarked, measuring 38.50 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 120 mm-long bar with a zink core, blue wool liner, and horizontal pinback, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons and possible period replacement of the liner, in better than very fine condition.