Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords and Case, by Otto Schickle

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centre, the obverse with pebbled arms and with a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with LDO code “L15” for Otto Schickle, Pforzheim, measuring 48.92 mm (w) x 48.90 mm (h), weighing 19.2 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered depiction of the award, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and hinge cover, with a slotted black velvet medal bed, unmarked, measuring 67 mm (w) x 67 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), the cross has lost most of its silver finish and consistent material fatigue is evident to the case, in overall very fine condition.