Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, Spanish-Made for Blue Division Veterans

(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 II. Klasse eines spanischen Freiwilligen der Blauen Division). Constructed of blackened and silvered zink, on loop for suspension from a mis-matched but period original War Merit Cross ribbon with a classic bronze clasp and horizontal pinback, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened core within a ribbed and silvered frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, unmarke, measuring 45.07 mm (w) x 50.21 mm (h), weighing 9.9 grams (inclusive of ribbon and clasp), the zink frame demonstrating the loss of most of its silver finish, a quintessential example of a replacement decoration manufactured in Spain for Blue Division veterans c. 1965, in near extremely fine condition.