Germany, Third Reich. A Pair of Badges

(Abzeichen). A pair of badges, including:

1. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a classic humped hinge characteristics of this manufacturer, with a banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, maker marked with LDO code “L/53” for Hymmen & Co., Lüdenscheid, measuring 47.98 mm (w) x 47.68 mm (h), weighing 21.7 grams, demonstrating loss of silver finish throughout, in very fine condition.

2. A German Equestrian Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a belt surrounding a letter “R”, around a central mounted horse, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked “L. CHR. LAUER, NÜRNBERG-BERLIN”, measuring 41.90 mm (w) x 51.91 mm (h), weighing 15.8 grams, demonstrating loss of finish, in near extremely fine condition.