Germany, Wehrmacht. A Combatant’s Medal Bar for Bravery and Long Service, Mounted in Austrian Style

(Ordensschnalle für einen Soldaten der Wehrmacht). An interesting medal bar for a Wehrmacht combatant decorated for bravery and long service, with post-war ribbons mounted in an Austrian-style tri-fold configuration with a reverse pinback reflecting the recipient’s preference for display as a veteran, featuring ten awards, including:

1. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, 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 six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, without visible marks, measuring 43.62 mm (w) x 47.83 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A West Wall Medal, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, consisting of a double-sided oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the top and bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a pillbox topped by a crossed sword and shovel and a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS” (“FOR WORK IN THE PROTECTION OF GERMANBY”), unmarked, measuring 33.22 mm (w) x 45.45 mm (h), demonstrating minor loss of finish to the base metal, in better than very fine condition.

3. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 48.00 mm (w) x 47.78 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. An Anschluss Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension from a mis-matched ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a date of “13. MÄRZ 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 31.91 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

5. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, without visible marks, measuring 35.80 mm (w) x 44.31 mm (h), demonstrating some loss of finish, in better than very fine condition.

6. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, the obverse bearing a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSVERDIENST 1939” (“FOR WAR MERIT 1939”), unmarked, measuring 32.22 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition. 

7. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension form its ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Berg & Nolte, Lüdenscheid, measuring 37.17 mm (w) x 41.34 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A Wehrmacht 18-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a number “18”, unmarked, measuring 36.33 mm (w) x 40.76 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

9. A Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “12”, unmarked, measuring 30.55 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

10. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered magnetic metal, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “12”, unmarked, measuring 30.46 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.