Germany, Third Reich. A Pair of Decorations

(Auszeichnungen). A pair of decorations, including:

1. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and patinated zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”), above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “65” for Klein & Quenzer, Idar-Oberstein, measuring 35.86 mm (w) x 44.17 mm (h), weighing 17.5 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “MEDAILLE ‘WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42’ (OSTMEDAILLE)” and a maker’s mark of “KLEIN & QUENZER, OBERSTEIN”, measuring 60 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition.

2. An Honour Cross of the German Mother, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with its arms joined together through the quadrants by stylized sun rays, the obverse with blue and white enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled disc overlaid by a black swastika, circumscribed by a raised inscription of “DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER” (“TO THE GERMAN MOTHER”), the reverse bearing an etched institution date of “16. DEZEMBER 1938” and a signature of the Führer, measuring 36 mm (w) x 46 mm (h), accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of beige paper stock, the exterior bearing an inscription of “EHRENKREUZ DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER DRITTE STUFE” and a maker’s mark of “L. CHR. LAUER, NÜRNBERG-BERLIN”, in extremely fine condition.