Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWII Awards and other items, 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 is comprised of two original awards, still in their original marked paper packets.

This lovely set includes:

- One German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II Klasse) missing ribbon. The medal is the version without swords, issued for service not connected to combat. The original bronze wash is in great shape with a lovely lightly oxidized color, and is maker stamped on the hanger ring with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 65, which represents Klein & Quenzer A.G.. The original packet has the correct award designation on the front:

Kriegs=
Verdienſtkreuz
2. Klaſſe
ohne Schwerter

It is also maker marked on the lower left corner with Klein & Quenzer A.G. Idar=Oberſtein I, so this is the original packet for this award.

- One German WWII Western Wall / Siegfried Line Metal with Ribbon. The award has a lovely patina on the brass medal, and the ribbon has a great matured patina, and the ribbon is in great shape, having been threaded through the hanger ring long ago. There are no markings present on the hanger ring, but the packet still has the correct designation on the front:

Deutſches
Schuꜩwall=
Ehrenzeichen

The back is maker marked by Carl Poellath of Schrobenhauſen.

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

More information on some of the awards in this set:

War Merit Cross 2nd Class (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.

The West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen) was a decoration of NSDAP Germany. It was instituted on 2 August 1939 and was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany's western borders, known as the Westwall or, in English, the Siegfried Line, between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939. On 13 November 1939 eligibility was extended to include servicemen of the Wehrmacht who served on the Westwall for at least ten weeks. In all 622,064 medals were awarded until 31 January 1941, when awards of the medal ceased. This early version was made of solid bronze. The back has the statement FÜR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCHLANDS - "For Work to Protect Germany."