Germany. A Group of Decorations & Certificates of Artillery NCO L. Edmaier

This is a fine collection of decorations and matching award certificates, belonging to Artillery NCO Ludwig Edmaier, consisting of 1) An Iron Cross 1939 Second Class with its Award Certificate, 2) A Bronze Grade Close Combat Clasp with its Award Certificate, 3) A General Assault Badge with its Award Certificate, 4) A Commemorative Eastern Front Medal with its Award Certificate. All certificates are named to Unteroffizier (NCO) Ludwig Edmaier of the 5th Company of Artillery Regiment 7 (only the Eastern Front Medal certificate doesn’t give a unit).

1) An Iron Cross 1939 Second Class “Eisernes Kreuz 1939 2. Klasse”; a cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border; on loop for suspension - marked “44” for “Jacob Bengel, Oberstein”; with its period original ribbon; the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm; the reverse with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbering on the lower arm; measuring 44.18 mm (w) x 44.42 mm (h); weighing 17.1 grams. It is accompanied by its original packet of issue; constructed of blue paper; with “Eisernes Kreuz 1939 2. Klasse” printed on the obverse in black gothic lettering and “Jacob Bengel, Oberstein” printed in black lettering on the reverse; measuring 104 mm (w) x 131 mm (h).

2) A Bronze Grade Close Combat Clasp “Nahkampfspange”; in bronzed zink; vaulted; the obverse with a national eagle and a bayonet and hand grenade in the centerpiece, with sun rays emanating from the centre of the left and right sides, and with four oak leaves and two acorns on each side; the reverse plain, with a square magnetic backing plate; horizontal banjo style pinback with a barrel hinge and a flat catch on the reverse; maker marked “FLL” for “Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid” and marked by the designer “Peekhaus, Berlin” on the reverse; measuring 96.62 mm (w) x 25.92 mm (h); weighing 34.4 grams. Accompanied by its original box of issue; constructed of cardstock; with “Nahkampfspange - Bronze” printed in black lettering on the lid; stuffed with burgundy wrapping paper; measuring 103 mm (w) x 32 mm (h) x 15 mm (deep). The The Close Combat Clasp certificate is dated to November 10, 1944 and signed in blue crayon by the Regiment Commander, an Oberst, the signature is illegible. It measures 139 mm x 198 mm.

3) A German General Assault Badge “Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen”; oval silvered zink; with an oak leaf border and a pair of acorns at the base, with a large Wehrmacht-style eagle with folded wings clutching a mobile swastika, and a crossed bayonet and stick grenade in the centre; the reverse plain with a vertical needle style pin, a crimped sheet metal hinge, and a crimped round wire catch; unmarked, but displaying the typical manufacturing characteristics of “Rudolf Karneth, Gablonz an der Neiße”; semi-hollow construction; measuring 41.91 mm (w) x 53.72 mm (h); weighing 27.1 grams. The General Assault Badge certificate is dated to December 7, 1943 and signed in pencil by the same man who signed the Close Combat Clasp. It measures 148 mm x 209 mm.

4) A Eastern Winter Campaign Medal “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 medaille”; on a loop for suspension - marked “1” for “Deschler & Sohn, München”, with its mint and unissued period original ribbon; with a large national eagle on the obverse clutching a swastika (“Hakenkreuz”) and a leftward facing Stahlhelm on the top with horizontally oriented stick grenade; the reverse “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42” (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42) in all capital letters with a crossed sword and laurel wreath on the bottom; measuring 35.98 mm in diameter; weighing 18.5 grams. Accompanied by its original paper packet of issue with “Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille)” printed in black lettering on the obverse, and with “Deschler & Sohn, München 9” printed on the reverse; measuring 58 mm x 107 mm. The Eastern Front Medal certificate is dated to December 7, 1943. It is signed in blue ink by a man named Schwarz, a Colonel and Regiment Commander. The stamp is difficult to read, but it seems he led Artillery Replacement Regiment 57. It measures 141 mm x 200 mm.

A fine collection of career awards with their matching award certificates. In overall better than extremely fine condition.