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
-
GERMAN SPLINTER BINOCULAR COVER
Sold by Military Tour7.5" x 4" x 2.25" These come in five patterns. Splinter, SS Oak Spring, SS Oak Fall, DAK Tan and Italian. ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA
-
SS HAMINGEN OP! METAL SIGN
Sold by Military TourThe sign is approx 11 x 8 inches. Made out of a thin tin sheet metal. The sign is made out of a special tin good for outside in all weather conditions ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA
-
SS NSDAP AUSWEIS SS-UNTERSCHARFUHRER ZIMMERMANN, MANFRED DOCUMENT
Sold by Military TourTyped on an original SS-typewriter ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA
-
GERMAN WWI DEATH CARD FOR RAILWAY WORKER FRANZ HELLMANN
Sold by Military TourGerman death card for WWII Reichsbahnaffiftent (National Railway worker) FRANZ HELLMAN who died at the age of 69 on August 29, 1945. Card measures about 4.5" x 5.0" unfolded. It is a double sided, double page card. Military death cards…
-
GERMAN WAFFEN SS OFFICER SIGNET RING
Sold by Military TourThis WW2 signet ring comes in size 19.9 mm 10 only. Made of Silver. ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.MILITARYTOUR.COM FOR MUCH MORE MILITARIA
-
GERMAN EINSATZ METAL SIGN 12″ X 18″
Sold by Military TourThis Einsatz vintage metal sign measures approximately 18-inches by 12-inches. Designed and made using 24 gauge steel and a process known as sublimation, where the image is baked into a powder coating for a durable and long lasting finish. This…