Description
This is an original War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords from WW2. Comes with authentic ribbon.
The medal was die-struck bronze alloy and had a bronze wash. Made in the form of a Maltese cross with a embossed swastika encircled by an oak-leaf wreath. The back of the medal had embossed the date, “1939” also enclosed in a oak-leaf wreath.
The War Merit Cross also known in German as Kriegsverdienstkreuz was first created in 1939 by Hitler replacing the previous Iron Cross that was for non-combatants.
This award has two variants and 3 grades.
The variants were with or without swords. With swords was for soldiers who shone in battle with exceptional service that went “above and beyond”, normally not of such a level that would warrant the issue of the Iron Cross which was a bravery award. Without swords was given to civilians for exceptional service behind the lines and could also be issued to females or non-Germans.
The grades were: Second Class, First Class and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. Before proceeding to the next level of Merit Cross you had to have the previous level.
In 1940 another grade was made called the War Merit Medal (not Cross) due to the large number of 2nd class Merit Medals being issued to civilians. This basic War Merit Medal was considered lower than the Second Class grade.
The ribbons for the 3 classes of the Merit Cross (not medal) were all the same: red-white-black-white-red horizontal stripes. The ribbon for the War Medal was similar but had a narrow red vertical strip in the centre of the black stripe.
ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA
Additional information
Weight | 0.02 kg |
---|
Vendor Info
- Military Tour
- Vendor: Doug Johnston
-
Address:
210 Dufferin Avenue
Winnipeg MB R2W 2X5
-
WAFFEN SS EM FIELD GREEN INFANTRY VISOR “Crusher” CAP GERMAN WW2
Sold by Military TourThis high quality Waffen SS EM crusher visor cap features fine field green wool tops , black wool cap bands, white piping, genuine leather chinstraps with metal totenkopf skull and eagle. (Waffen-SS Dienstmütze). Constructed of field gray wool, and has…
-
GERMAN WW2 WALTHER P38 BAKELITE BROWN PISTOL GRIPS
Sold by Military TourThis is a highly accurate reproduction of bakelite pistol grips for the German WW2 Walther P-38. It is made from cast phenolic resin just like orginal. It is almost impossible to tell the difference from original. 100% accurate in every…
-
WW2 GERMAN NSBO STICK PIN
Sold by Military TourThe NSBO was a labor organization during the Third Reich. The stickpin featured here was issued to members of the group. The design consists of a hand clenching a hammer with a swastika in the center. A quarter gear is…
-
GERMAN OBERGRUPEN – FUHRER 2ND VERSION COLLAR TABS
Sold by Military TourSilver on black 2nd version April 1942 - May 1945. Pairs complete and ready to attach. Bullion collar tabs feature meticulous, hand embroidered work that rivals some of the best originals. They are made using correct aluminum-silver bullion thread and…
-
SS-SD OBERSCHARFÜHRER EARLY COLLAR TABS
Sold by Military TourSet of 2. Black wool early SD (Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers-SS - Security Service of the Reichsführer-SS) Oberscharfuhrer Collar Tabs. The SD was the intelligence agency of the SS and the Nazi Party during WWII. Started in 1931 the SD was…
-
GERMAN LUFTWAFFE DRIVERS SLEEVE PROFICIENCY TRADE PATCH
Sold by Military TourThis is for a motor vehicle driver. ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA