Prussia - Cased Pair, Honor Cross for

A fine early quality textbook example of a “Flottenkriegsabzeichen”; gilded and silvered tombac oval wreath of oak leaves with a national eagle perched on the top of the badge clutching a swastika and with ribbons tied on the bottom, with a frontal view of a German battleship cutting through the waves; plain reverse; with a slender banjo style pinback, a barrel hinge, and a flat wire catch; maker marked “Schwerin, berlin” on the reverse; measuring 56.96 mm x43.88 mm; weighing 36.0 grams; with the original gilding well preserved, but with scattered loss to the silvering on the center ship due to age and wear; of note is some excess metal to the reverse, possibly from previous period mounting; in overall very fine condition.

Vaulted, silver frame with iron center (magnetic), with unusual screw back device on reverse, in extremely fine condition.

As worn original ribbon; with safety pin; with Seymour-Expedition, Taku, and Kaumi campaign clasp; medal measuring 32 mm in diameter; unmarked; worn and lightly soiled ribbon, patina, but otherwise near very fine condition.

Footnote: The China Medal (China - Denkmünze) was a medal of the German Empire and was awarded in bronze as a reward for service by German troops and civilians during the Boxer Rebellion. The medals were produced by the company Mayer & Wilhelm in Stuttgart. There were also 14 medal clasps awarded for involvements in battles.

A mint medal for a member of the 40th Panzer Reconnaissance Unit of the 14th Panzer Division; constructed of silvered aluminum; the obverse illustrating a leftward facing bust of a Wehrmacht soldier with a swastika directly below, surrounded by the inscription “Panzer Aufklärungsabteilung 40”; the reverse illustrating the 14th Panzer Division rune unit insignia in the centre, inscribed “14th Panzer Division” above, and flanked by the dates “15.8.40” and “15.4.42”, framed by two branches of laurel leaves and maker marked “Deschler, München” below; measuring 50.15 mm; weighing 18.8 grams. Accompanied by its original case of issue; constructed of heavy pressed paper with a textured blue faux leather (leatherette) exterior; lined interior lid (maker marked “Deschler & Sohn, München”); recessed medal bed; functional spring catch with stud release; intact interior fabric hinge cover; functional exterior metal hinge; measuring 106 mm x 105 mm; better than very fine condition.

 

Footnote: The 14th Panzer Division was formed in August 1940 from 4. Infanterie-Division. It was transferred to Hungary in March 1941 for the Balkans campaign and returned to Germany after that campaign. It took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union and fought on the southern sector until January 1943, when it was destroyed at Stalingrad. It was reformed in Brittany, France, in April 1943 and was sent to the southern sector of the Eastern front in October 1943, where it remained until July 1944, when it was withdrawn for refitting. It was transferred from the Ukraine to Kurland in August and it surrendered there to the Red Army in April 1945.