Germany, Federal Republic. An Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Knight Commander with Case, by Steinhauer & Lück

(Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Etui). Instituted 7 September 1951. (1951-present issue). A Knight Commander’s Cross set of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, including a neck cross, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with red enameled arms, both the obverse and reverse with central gilt medallions bearing black enameled Federal Republic-style German national eagles, the twelve o’clock arm with a ribbed fan topped by an integral loop connecting to a suspension ring with a period original neck ribbon, the ribbon with a functional gilded bronze buckle, unmarked, measuring 60.10 mm (w) x 70.88 mm (h), weighing 20.9 grams; a breast star, constructed of gilded silver with enamels, consisting of a four-pointed radiant star, the obverse bearing a raised Cross Pattée with red enameled arms and a central gilt medallion overlaid by a black enameled Federal Republic-style German national eagle, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, with dual visible rivets securing the obverse applique in place, maker marked “ST. & L.” for Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 74.62 mm (w) x 74.15 mm (h), weighing 53.8 grams; a boutonniere, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, with a period original length of ribbon set trough a star insignia of the order measuring 12 mm (w) x 12 mm (l), the reverse maker marked “STEINHAUER & LÜCK, LÜDENSCHEID”; accompanied by a period original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux blue leather exterior, the exterior of the lid bearing a gold embossed Federal Republic-style German national eagle, within a gilded border, the interior with a padded white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, the liner bearing a gold embossed Federal Republic-style German national eagle, retaining an intact stabilizing ribbon holding the lid in place when opened, the interior with a depressed and slotted blue velvet medal bed, opening with a functional bronze snap button and a functional magnetic metal hinge, the exterior with a maker’s marked of “STEINHAUER & LÜCK, LÜDENSCHEID”, measuring 170 mm (w) x 250 mm (l) x 32 mm (h), minor material fatigue evident to the presentation case, in overall extremely fine condition.