Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWI & WWII Awards and Tinnies, 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 good variety of medals and tinnies, including TWO War Merit Crosses and a Hindenburg Cross!

This lovely set includes:

- 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, though it does show some wear and oxidation to the medal, and the ribbon is definitely stained and age toned. The award is maker marked G14 on the back.

- One German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II Klasse mit Schwertern) with Ribbon. The medal has a lovely oxidized patina, and it looks to be an mid war example made from plated zinc, still retaining most of the bronze wash. The ribbon is in close to unissued condition, and is threaded through the hanger loop.

- One German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II Klasse mit Schwertern) without Ribbon. The medal looks to be an mid war example made from plated zinc, and still retains all the bronze wash, though some areas show oxidation. The award itself is maker marked on the hanger ring with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 100 on the hanger ring, which represents Rudolf Wächtler & Lange of Mittweida, Saxony.

- SEVEN German WWII Era Tinnie Event Badges, including one from Deutsches Jugendfest 1936, 1937 May Day, and others.

- A "Play coins of the world" Indian Rupee coin, which we assume the soldier picked up after the war.

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

"Tinnies" (Veranstaltungsabzeichen - Event Badges) are small commemorative pins or medals, acquired when one attended a specific event held in Germany. They were often made of thin stamped metal, bakelite, or even pressed paper. Many of these were given out as part of the WHW (Winterhilfswerk - Winter Help Work) Organization, which often involved Germans traveling quite a bit to help out the war effort. Many others were given for the annual Reichsparteitag (Reich Party Congress), otherwise known as the Nuremberg Rallies.

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.

War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) with Swords (for Combat)
This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars. The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords for meritorious service to civilians in "furtherance of the war effort". As with the Iron Cross, Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.