Spain, Fascist State. A Spanish Made War Merit Cross, II Class with Swords

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern eines spanischen Freiwilligen der Blauen Division). Constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from ribbon with a classic clasp and horizontal pinback, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, unmarked, measuring 46.9 mm (w) x 48.2 mm (h – inclusive of integral ball), weighs 20.0 grams including ribbon and clasp, a great example of a replacement decoration manufactured in Spain for Blue Division veterans c. 1965, a small ball of pebbled bronze sites between the 6 and 9 o’clock arm, next to the blade of the sword, remains in near extremely fine condition.