Order of the German Eagle by Godet, (Verdienstorden vom deutschen Adler, fünfte Stufe, 1943)
Price: Sold
Description: 5th Class Eagle Order; 50mm, square, very high quality, finely made and slightly convex, die struck sterling silver construction, Maltese style white enamel cross having a bright fired-gilded finish. Third Reich era, fire gilded national eagles with down swept wings, clutching a wreathed swastika on a white enamel background field, situated between each of the cross’s arms. The arms of the cross are finished in white enamel with fire gilding outer edge stripe and small, “v” indentations to the ends of each arm. From its silken ribbon this double sided medal is Suspended from a silver ring that is finely marked ‘900’ silver content and ‘L/50’ for maker Gebruder Godet, Berlin (see pics).
BACKGROUND: In May 1937 AH instituted the series of the Meritorious Order of the German Eagle specifically for bestowal to deserving, foreign Statesmen, diplomats and dignitaries. Of Note: There were a few exceptions of bestowal of the Order of the German Eagle with the German diplomat and Foreign Affairs Minister, (1938-1945), Joachim von Ribbentrop being conferred a Special Degree of the Order of the German Eagle on February 4TH 1938 and German diplomat and Foreign Affairs Minister (1932-1938), Constantin von Neurath also being conferred a Special Degree of the Order of the German Eaglein April 1939. Originally the Order of the German Eagle was instituted in six varying grades with regulations April 1939 establishing an additional grade, the Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold, along with permission for the addition of crossed swords for the other grades of the award when it was to be issued to personnel who had displayed distinguished military merit. Further regulation in December 1943 revised and expanded the grades of the Order of the German Eagle to a total of nine. Interestingly the designations of the 1943 versions of the awards were altered to, “Class”, (Klasse), instead of the previous designation of, “Degree”, (Stufe). Although the basic design of the Meritorious Order of the German Eagle was retained with the 1939 and 1943 revisions and expansions there were subtle differences, primarily in the ribbon suspension loops and rings, where applicable, and the manufacturer’s markings. Of Interest: Notable recipients of one of the Meritorious Order of the German Eagle include Italy’s Duce Benito Mussolini who was conferred a unique, one of a kind, Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with Diamonds, Spain’s Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Bulgaria’s Tsar Boris III, Hungary’s Regent Admiral Nicholas Horthy, Romania’s Marshal Ion Victor Antonescu, Finland’s President Risto Heikki Ryti and Field Marshall Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, among others.
