Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of exceptionally well-preserved awards, including:

1. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSVERDIENST 1939” (“FOR WAR MERIT 1939”), unmarked, measuring 32.21 mm in diameter, weighing 12.7 grams, in near mint condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from 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”, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “1” for Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 48.38 mm (w) x 48.97 mm (h), weighing 18.3 grams, retaining its original wax paper liner, in near mint condition.

3. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a double-sided oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANY”), unmarked, measuring 32.94 mm (w) x 45.12 mm (h), weighing 19.4 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light beige paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “DEUTSCHES SCHUTZWALL-EHRENZEICHEN” and a maker’s mark of “CARL POELLATH, SCHROBENHAUSEN”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in near mint condition.

4. A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension from a period replacement ribbon, consisting of Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 42.23 mm (w) x 46.87 mm (h), weighing 21.1 grams, in near mint condition.

5. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Silver Grade, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with its arms joined through the quadrants by stylized rays, the obverse with blue and white enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black swastika, circumscribed by a raised inscription of “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” (“TO THE GERMAN MOTHER”), the reverse bearing an etched institution date of “16. DEZEMBER 1938” and a signature of the Führer, measuring 36.95 mm (w) x 46.18 mm (h), weighing 15.1 grams (inclusive of ribbon), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

6. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the suspension loop maker marked “KO” for a widely-documented but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.70 mm (w) x 48.50 mm (h), weighing 15.3 grams, demonstrating minor loss of finish to the core with some surface oxidation, in near extremely fine condition.