Cased 1st Class War Merit Cross with Swords by 84

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

A Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern im Etui by Carl Poellath of Schrobenhausen. The 1st Class War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded for special merit in actions under enemy fire or for special merit in military leadership. The award is constructed out of a die struck tombak base that has been silver washed and finished in a protective lacquer coating. 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 is maker marked on the pin: “84”. It also has a soldered on flat wire catch, soldered on block hinge and a coke pin. It measures approximately 1 15/16 inches wide and tall. The award comes housed in its issue case. 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 an impressed silvered foil 1st class war merit cross with swords. It has been de-nazified. The interior top lid is lined in pearl velvet and has an underlying pad. The bottom interior of the case is made out of pressed cardboard that is covered in a black felt material and outlines the pin, hinge and catch assembly. To the front of the case is a steel round spring loaded closure button and the back is a piano hinge. The case measures approximately 2 3/4 inches wide and long by 7/8 of an inch thick. A nice assembly!