LDO Cased War Merit 1st Class with Swords by L/12

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

Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse ohne Schwertern im Etui by L/12 - C.E. Juncker of Berlin. Instituted October 18, 1939, the 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). 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 fullback reverse is LDO marked: “L/12” and features; a soldered-on block hinge, a soldered-on round plate rectangular wire catch and a polished coke bottle pin. It measures 1 15/16 inches wide and tall. The award comes housed in its issue LDO case. The case is constructed out of a pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated, grained, black leatherette. The interior top lid is lined in pearl satin and is black ink stamped: “LDO” (within a rectangle). The bottom interior of the case is made out of pressed cardboard that is covered in a black fibrous felt material and outlines the pin, hinge and catch assembly. The one edge of the lid was torn and fixed. The case is in excellent condition. It measures 2 5/8 inches wide and deep by 3/4 of an inch thick. A desirable private purchased piece by Juncker!