Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, Screwback Version, by Hymmen & Co. GTRexclude circumscribed by a name and

circumscribed by a name and title

with only about ten per cent of those who served receiving the medal

Belt remains in strong leather

For his First World War service he was awarded the 1914-15 Star

KdF was supposed to bridge the class divide

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, Screwback Version, by Hymmen & Co. GTRexclude circumscribed by a name and(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern an Schraubscheibe). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a central threaded screwpost retaining an original backplate, the six oclock arm showing an illegible hand etched inscription which is presumably a recipients name, otherwise unmarked but