Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards for First and Second World War Service

(Auszeichnungen). A mixed lot of awards, including:

1. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original 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 32.32 mm in diameter, weighing 13.1 grams, in mint condition.

2. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension from its period original 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, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “10” for Förster & Barth, Pforzheim, measuring 36.03 mm (w) x 44.46 (h) mm, weighing 19.2 grams, demonstrating some loss of finish, in very fine condition.

3. A 1939 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 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”, the suspension loop maker marked with LDO code “L/11” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 44.24 mm (w) x 47.65 mm (h), weighing 19.0 grams, in near extremely fine condition. 

4 A Civil Service 25-Year Faithful Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 42.03 mm (w) x 46.72 mm (h), weighing 21.6 grams, in extremely fine condition.

5. 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 twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a veteran’s replacement piece produced c. 1937, measuring 42.47 mm (w) x 46.78 mm (h), weighing 17.2 grams, in extremely fine condition.

6. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914-1918 for War Bereaved, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 37.95 mm (w) x 41.71 mm (h), weighing 13.6 grams, demonstrating some surface oxidation throughout, in fair condition.