C03355 CASED DUTCH MUSSERT CROSS WITH RIBBON BAR.

BACKGROUND: One of the numerous pro-Nazi political organizations to be formed in Holland prior to WWII was the NSB, Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging (National-Socialist Movement), founded by Anton Mussert in December 1931. Although never overly successful in Dutch elections the NSB was still in existence after the German invasion in May 1940. Mussert and the NSB’s willingness to collaborate with the Germans resulted in it being acknowledged as the only legal political party in Holland in December 1941. In July 1941 Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the German Reichskommissar of Holland, announced the formation of the Freiwilligen Legion Niederlande, (Volunteer Legion Netherlands), under control of the NSB. This Dutch Legion, outfitted in Waffen-SS uniforms, was sent to the Russian front by Leningrad in January 1942 and served there until April 1943. In the spring of 1942 Mussert instituted the Mussert Cross to recognize the achievements of the Legions personnel on the eastern front. Of Note: Allegedly Hitler forbade bestowal of this award as Mussert didn't consult him before instituting it, and the Dutch Volunteers were eligible for German awards and decorations.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Multi-piece, die struck alloy construction award with a fire gilted finish and multi-colored enamel work. The award is in the form of a Maltese style cross with circular centerpieces to both obverse and reverse and fire gilted crossed swords emanating between the crosses arms. The crosses arms have translucent red enamel work above a textured field and solid black enamel outer border stripes. Obverse circular centerpiece features a creamy white enamel field with a golden vertical wolfsangle superimposed over a canted swastika above an oak-leaf cluster. Reverse circular centerpiece also features a creamy white enamel field with golden script to center, "Mussert 1941", encompassed by an oak-leaf cluster to bottom and additional script to top, "Hou en Trou", (Steady and True), the NSB motto. The medal ring, ribbon suspension loop and ribbed rayon ribbon in the Dutch national colors of sky blue, white and orange are all intact. The reverse of the ribbon has a fire gilted alloy pin back device stitched in place. The award comes complete with ribbon bar, with ribbon as above and fire gilted sheet metal crossed swords cypher. The ribbon bar is mounted on an alloy base with green wool backing. Pin back device intact to reverse. The award and ribbon bar are housed in a 4 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 3/4" cardboard issue case with simulated burgundy leather covering. The top lid has a fine impressed golden stripe near outside edges. Case has a taped hinged to one end.. The interior bottom of the case is covered in burgundy velvet with raised arms creating compartments for the award and the ribbon bar. Case shows light chafe wear and age soling while on either side of the top of the case are cracks that have been glued in an attempt to repair them and one corner has also cracked. To the interior one of the raised arms has come loose. The ribbon bar and award are in overall excellent condition with 90% of the fire gilting intact and only a tiny flaw to the enamel on the award. A nice clean example.

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-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

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