{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-excellent-cased-war-merit-cross-kvk-1st-class-by-deschler-sohn-of-munich-kriegsverdienstkreuz","title":"Original German WWII Excellent Cased War Merit Cross KvK 1st Class by Deschler \u0026 Sohn of Munich - Kriegsverdienstkreuz","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a War Merit Cross KvK 1st Class in Silver (without swords), manufactured by \u003cstrong\u003eDeschler \u0026amp; Sohn of München\u003c\/strong\u003e (Munich) in Bavaria, Germany. This early war example in silver plated Tombak shows frosted finish on silver Maltese cross, which which is still bright and shiny, with antiquing in the recessed areas. It comes complete with an original leatherette case, and is definitely a quality example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge features an intact pinback, though there is no maker marking, which is not uncommon for this maker. The badge is totally non magnetic, with a tapered alloy pin attached to a barrel hinge, which clips nicely into the bent flatwire hook on the other end of badge. The hinge, pin, and catch style are all an exact match for Deschler \u0026amp; Sohn made examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis KVK comes in an original correct black leatherette case, showing a silver facsimile of the cross with swords on case lid. The case has a nice interior, with a velvet plush material bottom with inlet, and a lovely satin top, which shows an impression of the award with some light staining. At the bottom left is the maker information \u003cstrong\u003eDeschler \u0026amp; Sohn \/ München\u003c\/strong\u003e The metal hinge on the back is fully functional, with intact lining over it on the interior, and the catch on the front is fully functional. It shows the expected wear to the exterior from age and use, but no major damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great cased example of this award manufactured by a desirable maker that is sure to be a welcome addition to German award and medal collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe War Merit Cross (\u003cem\u003eKriegsverdienstkreuz\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ribbon of the War Merit Cross was in red-white-black-white-red; that was, the red and black colors being reversed from the ribbon of the World War II version of the Iron Cross. The ribbon for the War Merit Medal was similar, but with a narrow red vertical red strip in the center of the black field. Soldiers who earned the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords wore a small crossed-swords device on the ribbon. The War Merit Cross 1st Class was a pin-backed medal worn on the pocket of the tunic (like the Iron Cross 1st Class). The ribbon of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class could be worn like the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class (through the second buttonhole). Nonetheless combat soldiers tended to hold the War Merit Cross in low regard, referring to its wearers as being in 'Iron Cross Training'. The Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was a neck decoration and worn the same way as the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45348853317701,"sku":"ONJR26JUMS016","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JUMS016__01.jpg?v=1784119444","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-excellent-cased-war-merit-cross-kvk-1st-class-by-deschler-sohn-of-munich-kriegsverdienstkreuz","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}