BACKGROUND: The War Merit Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on October 18TH 1939, in two classes with both classes issued, with and without swords, for award to military personnel and civilians, including females and foreigners, for exemplary service and/or bravery in Germany’s war effort, in a non-combatant role. The addition of swords to the award signified bravery while awards without swords were bestowed for service. The War Merit cross series of awards was expanded on August 19TH 1940, to include a Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross for award to personnel who had provided a substantial contribution to the war effort and the War Merit Medal for award to German nationals and foreign civilians who provided exceptional service to the war effort.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 33mm diameter, die struck bronze alloy award with a bronze wash features an embossed likeness of the War Merit Cross without swords to the obverse, in the form of a Maltese style cross with a circular centerpiece with an embossed, canted, swastika, encircled by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath. The arms of the cross have a slightly pebbled field while the background of the award is smooth with a fine raised lip to the outside edge. The reverse of the award has embossed Gothic script, "Für Kriegs-verdienst 1939", (For War Merit 1939), on a smooth background field. The age dulled bronze wash is retained about 70%. The ribbon suspension ring and medal loop are both intact and comes complete with a roughly, 30mm wide, 26mm long, piece of original, faded, ribbed, rayon ribbon. The award has no visible manufacturer’s markings.