Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWI & WWII Awards and Insignia, which was brought back from the European theater by a USGI after the war was concluded. Many solders traded these on the way back, and would end up with a pocket full of various different collectible items, and this set represents the typical "haul" one might have come back with. It includes a nice WWI Iron Cross 1914 Second class and a Hindenburg Cross with Swords, as well as awards and insignia from the WWII period.

This lovely set includes:

- One Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse 1918) with thin ribbon. It is maker marked S-W on the ring, for Sy-Wagner of Berlin. There is just a bit of age to the paint, and the silver is still present, with a lovely tarnished patina. The ribbon is in very good shape, showing wear, some tears, and fraying consistent with being over 100 years old. It is a thinner ribbon than we usually see, possibly for hanging around a neck.

- One Pre-WWII German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Swords (for Combat) with ribbon. This example is in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear and oxidation, and is marked on the back with G15. The ribbon is in very good shape, having been sewn to a period brass safety pin, and shows some lovely age toning.

- One embroidered German WWII Schutzpolizei NCO Ärmelhoheitsabzeichen (Protection Police Arm Eagle Insignia). The badge features the correct police blue gray (Faded) background with Police Hellgrün (light green) embroidery, the correct Truppenfarbe (troop color) for the protection police (Schupo). In November 1941, all Police Sleeve Eagles could cease to have district markings, so this was made afterwards. This example is made from wool felt with a black fabric backing, and does not look to have been attached to a uniform, however it does show staining and fading to the obverse.

- One German WWII Kriegsmarine Navy Maschinenmaat (Machinist's Mate 3rd Class) Embroidered Ratings Badge, white uniform version. This features a white backing with navy blue embroidered insignia. There is an anchor with a large gear on top of it, without a chevron underneath, indicating a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Condition is very good, showing some staining and age toning to the white background. It also has a date on the back, K. 4. 12.38. with H.W. stamped at the bottom.

- One German WWII Kriegsmarine Navy Bootsmannmaat (Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class) Bullion Embroidered Ratings Badge, navy blue dress uniform version. This features a havy blue wool backing with gold bullion embroidered insignia. It shows the "Fouled Anchor" insignia without any other devices, indicating the Bootsmann rating path. Condition is excellent, and it does not look to have been attached to a uniform in the past.

- One German WWII Luftwaffe Air Force Tropical Gefreiter Sleeve Chevron Patch. This is made from the correct silver tresse on a light tan background.

- One German WWII Reichsbahn National Railway RBD Köln Sleeve Eagle: A machine woven, right facing eagle with outstretched wings and a wreathed, mobile swas in its talons, positioned above the arching script, "RBD Köln." All of the threads are bright golden-yellow, against a half-moon shaped, woven black base, which is still on its section of black rayon factory roll. The insignia indicates service with the "Köln" division of the Reichsbahndirektion (National Railway Directorate).

- One German WWII Luftwaffe Warrant Officer Artificer / Ordnance Technician Sleeve Patch. Consisting of a silver gray Gothic letter F on a Luftwaffe blue gray background, these were worn by specialized NCOs dealing with ordnance.

- One German Pre WWII Trier Holy Tunic 1933 Tinnie.

- One German WWII NSKK lapel membership pin.

- One German WWII era Adolf H EIN VOLK EIN REICH EIN FUHRER pin.

A wonderful totally genuine grouping perfect for the German Medal and Insignia collector. Ready to research and display!

More information on some of the awards in this set:

German WWI Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class:
Established by Frederick William in 1813 for gallantry in action, the decoration was revived several times for later conflicts. The bulk of the issues are divided into 1st and 2nd class versions, but a rare and superior 'Grand Cross' was also awarded for successful field commanders. During WW1 the lower decoration was freely awarded with 5½ million second class types issued. Originally, the Iron Cross was an award of the Kingdom of Prussia, however given Prussia's pre-eminent place in the German Empire formed in 1871, it became an award for all of Germany.

The basic design of the WW1 crosses is a central Tatzenkreuz (cross pattée) struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram. Reverse bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath - the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. Suspension for second-class types is by means of a ring, and frequently this ring bears a maker's stamp.

Please examine the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.

Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat):
The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of NSDAP Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or NSDAP Party organization.