Cased 1939 War Merit Cross 1st Class by Deschler & Sohn (1)
Price: $395
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: WMC of nice early quality tombac construction; nickel/silver finished throughout; wide tapering, vertical pin marked with manufacturers numerical code, “1”, indicating manufacture by Deschler & Sohn München. Case is near mint with fully embossed silver WMC w/o Swords logo to the lid. Exceptional Mint example, hard to upgrade.
Background: The War Merit Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler in October 1939, in two classes with both classes issued, with and without swords, for award to military personnel and civilians, including females and foreigners, for exemplary service and/or bravery in Germany’s war effort, in a non-combatant role. The addition of swords to the award signifies bravery while awards without swords were bestowed for service. Of Note: The War Merit cross series of awards was expanded in August 1940, to include a Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross for award to personnel who had provided a substantial contribution to the war effort and the War Merit Medal for award to German nationals and foreign civilians who provided exceptional service to the war effort.
