Germany, Federal Republic. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, 1957 Version Archive mounted to a solid silver

mounted to a solid silver five-pointed star base

Ottmann of Bartonville

A gilded bronze Maltese cross with blue-enamelled arms

This shows moderate wear from use

traces of gilt remains on the lightning bolts

Germany, Federal Republic. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, 1957 Version Archive mounted to a solid silver(Kriegsverdienstkreuz, I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered bronze, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms, with a central wreathed date of 1939 and crossed swords piercing the centre, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 49. 15 mm (w) x 48. 87 mm (h), weighing 22. 3 grams, in near extremely fine condition.