BACKGROUND: As with most military and civilian awards of the Third Reich period miniature version lapel pins were permitted for wear on civilian clothing. These miniature awards were private purchase items and could only be purchased by individuals with the proper ownership documentation. General regulations, with a few minor exceptions, permitted wear of three miniature awards at one time but prohibited the mixing of military and civilian awards on one lapel pin.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A roughly, 10mm, die-struck zinc award of the War Merit Cross with swords. Takes 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 swords, indicating bravery, emanated upwards between the arms of the cross. 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. Reverse has its 40mm vertical rifled stickpin intact. Unmarked example.

GRADE *** 3/4                             PRICE $25.00