Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, with Case, by Steinhauer & Lück

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “4” for Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, measuring 48.32 mm (w) x 48.12 mm (h), weighing 16.0 grams, accompanied by a period presentation case, constructed of a pressed card stock frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered Maltese Cross, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted beige felt medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 70 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), demonstrating loss of finish to the cross and possible substitution of the case, in better than very fine condition.