Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Unusual Case, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive within a blue enameled ring

within a blue enameled ring bearing a silvered institution date of “DEN 18

a flat dome-headed hinge and thick wire catch

very early "thin wreath" badge by "CEJ" (Juncker)

glue and paper residue evident on the reverse from previous board mounting)

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Unusual Case, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive within a blue enameled ring(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with swords piercing the centre, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 4 for Steinhauer & Lck, Ldenscheid, measuring 48. 93 mm (w) x 47. 84 mm (h), weighing 18. 1 grams,