Eastern Front Medal by Metall Kunststoff

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Campaign Awards > Eastern Front Medal

Minty and Matching! A Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 mit der Papiertüte by Metall kunststoff of Gablonz. The Eastern Front Medal was awarded to individuals who served on the German Eastern Front during 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942. It is constructed out of a die struck zinc-alloy base that has been silver washed, blackened and lacquered. The round shaped obverse depicts the early national closed winged eagle clutching a stagnant swastika in its talons, in front of a laurel wreath branch and below an M35 pattern helmet and a model 24 grenade. The reverse reads: “Winterschlacht Im Ostem 1941/42” (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42), which is above a crossed sword and laurel leaf and berry branch and below that same helmet and grenade. To the top is an internal loop and and unmarked ring, which BTW is quite right for Metall Kunststoff. They are a working group or a gild. Arbeitsgemeinschaft- Corporate Metal Conglomerate/ Guild. Association of Workers. No ring number number for this precise case as Arbeitsgemeinschaft where Corporate Metal Conglomerate/ Guild. In other words and more straight forward they were official suppliers, state suppliers to many other makers such as AG MuK, it supplied to all the private makers in the area of Gablonz. The ring holds 7 ½ inches of original red, white and black rayon ribbon. The award measures 1 7/16 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches tall. The award and ribbon come housed in its appropriate tan paper packet. The obverse of the packet reads, in Gothic style black ink: “Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)” and “Metall kunststoff Gablonz”, within a rectangular border to the reverse. It measures approximately 2 5/16 inches wide by 4 1/8 inches tall. So yes, expensive but have you ever seen a better one?