BACKGROUND: The War Merit Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on October 18^TH 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. Of Note: The War Merit cross series of awards was expanded on August 19^TH 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: Die struck, alloy construction service award with a frosty, nickel/silver plated finish is in the form of a Maltese style cross with a circular centerpiece with an embossed, canted, swastika encircled by an oak-leave wreath to the obverse. The background field of the obverse centerpiece is smooth while the arms of the cross have a pebbled background field with raised, smooth, outer edges. The award retains over 95% of it’s original nickel/silver plated finish with minimal age tarnish. The swastika and the raised, smooth, outer edges are polished to a high sheen while the balance of the cross has a frosty white appearance. The plain, reverse has a small, soldered, solid style hinge, a broad, tapered, vertical pin and a heavy soldered catch all intact. The award has no visible manufacturer’s markings. The award comes housed in its original roughly, 2 5/8" square, 3/4" thick, pressed cardboard and wood construction case with a black, simulated grained leather covering. The top lid of the case has an impressed, silvered outline of the War Merit Cross without swords. The case has a fold back top lid with a magnetic, staggered, bar hinge to the reverse and a spring activated closure button to the obverse both intact. Both the hinge and the closure button still function. The interior of the case has a black flocking covering to the bottom with a vertical, slotted recess to secure the award in place and the interior top lid has a white satin lining. The case is in overall very good condition with minor chafe wear to the exterior and minor age toning to the interior linings.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $384.00