Early Cased 1st Class War Merit Cross by 62

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

A Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern im Etui by 62 - Kerbach & Oesterhelt of Dresden. The 1st Class War Merit Cross with Swords was awarded to military personnel for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty (which needed not occur while facing the enemy). It is constructed out of a die struck tombac base that has been silver washed. The obverse depicts a pebbled Maltese style cross with a wreathed swastika to the center. The full back reverse features an soldered on hinge and catch along with a coke bottle pin that is marked to the underside “62”. It measures 1 15/16 inches wide and tall. The cross comes housed in a KVK tagged issue case. The case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated black grained faux leather. The top is vaulted. The interior lid is lined in white satin and has an underlying pad. The bottom interior of the case is constructed out of a cardboard base that is covered in black flocking that outlines the pin hinge and catch assembly. The case measures 2 3/4 inches tall and deep and 3/4 of an inch thick. Very faint remnants of a foil KVKI remains to the top of the lid. A solid assembly!