Original Items: One-of-a-kind. This is an excellent original Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern (German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords - KvKII), complete with its original ribbon and named Besittzzeugnis "possession/award" certificate. The document measures approximately 5 1/2” x 7 7/8” (about 14cm x 20cm), and is printed on mid-weight paper with black print and typed in particulars. The bottom has the correct signatures for the award.

The document indicates that the Kriegs verdienſtkreuz 2. Klaſſe mit Schwertern was awarded to Hauptmann Matthias B o l l a n d on 30. Januar 1944. This is a Heer Army officer rank equivalent to a U.S. Army Captain. The award looks to have been given by the Deputy commanding general of V. Armeekorps and commander of Wehrkreis V. It has the correct stamp in the lower left corner, and several signatures, which definitely represent some great opportunities for further research!

The medal itself is in very good condition, looking to be made from early war brass alloy, and the original silvering has mostly worn away, giving it a great aged look. It comes with a very good condition rayon ribbon, threaded through the hanger ring. It is also stamped with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 56 on the underside of the pin, which represents Robert Hauschild of Pforzheim in Germany, a known maker of the award. Most of these that we see are unmarked, or the maker mark is unclear, so this is a rare treat!

The original paper packet is the brown paper version, and is in excellent condition. It has the correct markings in German Black Letter Typeface:

Kriegs=
Verdienſtkreuz
2. Klaſſe
mit Schwertern

There is a maker mark on the reverse for Jakob Bengel / Oberſtein., so it is not original to the award.

A really nice German WWII KvKII with ribbon and packet, maker marked and complete with a named award document. Ready to research and display!

War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) without Swords
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.