Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mixed Lot of War Merit Decorations

(Kriegsdverdienstkreuze). A mixed lot of War Merit decorations, including:

1. A War Merit Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central 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”, unmarked, measuring 48.77 mm (w) x 49.44 mm (h), weighing 19.7 grams, in extremely fine condition.

3. A second 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”, unmarked, measuring 48.57 mm (w) x 49.38 mm (h), weighing 19.7 grams, demonstrating loss of finish throughout, in very fine condition.

4. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, the suspension loop maker marked with an illegible Präsidialkanzlei code, measuring 48.71 mm (w) x 49.42 mm (h), weighing 26.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

5. A second War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronzed zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 49.97 mm (w) x 50.55 mm (h), weighing 21.3 grams, demonstrating total loss of bronze finish, in near extremely fine condition.

6. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “3” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, also etched across the three and nine o’clock arms with owner’s initials and a presumed award date of “30. I. 45”, measuring 47.05 mm (w) x 46.53 mm (h), weighing 17.3 grams, most of the silver finish has been lost and the cross has been carefully hand-vaulted by the owner for preferred wear, in very fine condition.