Minty Matching Boxed & Cased 1st Class War Merit Cross by Kerbach & Oester

German WWII > Awards and Medals > War Merit Series > 1st Class War Merit

A nice early, complete, matching Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern by 62! The War Merit Cross with swords was awarded to military personnel for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty. The award is constructed out of a die struck tombac that has been silver washed with polished highlights and much frosting remaining. The obverse depicts a centrally placed mobile swastika that is surrounded by an oak leaf wreath, which is tied together at the top and bottom, and is above a pebbled Maltese style cross that has two crossed broad swords coming out of its corners. The full back reverse has a soldered on flat wire catch, block hinge and a nickel-silver coke bottle pin. The back is maker marked "62" (Kerbach & Oesterhelt), matching the carton and the case. Nice detail! It measures approximately 1 7/8 inches wide and tall. The award comes housed in its original case and carton. Ok so you never find these things in their factory cartons. Rare! The box is clean. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated, grained black leather. The very top features a 1st class war merit cross with swords. The interior top lid is lined in pearl satin and has an underlying pad. It is ink stamped with the maker and location. The bottom interior of the case is made of a black felt covered cardboard and outlines the pin, hinge and catch assembly and exterior white cardboard border. The case is mint. It measures approximately 2 ¾ inches wide and long by 11/16 of an inch thick. See Dietrich's reference pg 216. A solid matching set!