A Imperial German Battle of the Somme Commemorative Cross

A Imperial German Battle of the Somme Commemorative Cross (Weimarer Republik, Somme Kreuz), 1914-1918; two piece construction alloy with gilt-edged black and orange enamels; the obverse a Maltese shaped cross with a central gilt-edged black enamel medallion inscribed in gilt with “Somme, 1914 1918”; the reverse plain; maker marked “Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg 3” and “Ges. Gesch” (for gesetzlich geschützt = legally protected, i.e. a registered design) on reverse; double loops for ribbon suspension; measuring 41 mm x 41 mm; some gilt wear, near very fine condition. Footnote: This cross was created by the Ehrenbund der Champagnekämpfer veterans association in 1920 and was awarded to veterans who participated in either the Somme, Verdun, Argonne, Champagne battles, or on the Eastern Front. All were made by the same maker and were privately purchased by the veterans. They were banned by the Nazis in 1935.