Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of Awards

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

1. A medal bar for a First World War combatant featuring three decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with 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, the suspension loop make remarked “KO” for a widely-encountered but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.60 mm (w) x 47.31 mm (h), weighing 18.8 grams, in near mint condition; 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 L. Christian Lauer, Nuremberg, measuring 37.63 mm (w) x 41.83 mm (h), weighing 14.5 grams, in near mint condition, and; a Kyffhäuser Medal, constructed of bronze, on a replacement loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse engraver marked “HOSAEUS”, measuring 30.86 mm (w) x 47.02 mm (h), weighing 18.7 grams, in near extremely fine condition; all suspended from a 98 mm-long zink bar with a horizontal pinback and black wool reverse liner, unmarked, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Prussian State Railway 40-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silver, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon and a plaque bearing a raise number “40”, topped by a winged and crowned wheel, the reverse with a block hinge and horizontal pinback meetings round wire catch, maker marked “JOH. WAGNER & SOHN” for the firm of Johann Wagner, with a crown and crescent moon indicating German manufacture, flanked by a silver content number of “800”, measuring 53.50 mm (w) x 43.30 mm (h), weighing 10.1 grams, demonstrating a consistent patina throughout, in near extremely fine condition.

3. 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”, unmarked, measuring 32.19 mm in diameter, weighing 12.6 grams, in near mint condition.

4. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and patinated zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing a raised 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, unmarked, measuring 36.14 mm (w) x 44.26 mm (h), weighing 19.5 grams, demonstrating loss of finish throughout, in very fine condition.