(Ordensschnalle mit Etui). A rare and exceptional medal bar to Generalleutnant Kurt Freiherr Röder von Diersburg, an artillery Officer with extensive First World War service who achieved the rank of Generalleutnat during the Second World War, featuring ten decorations, including:
1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 42.20 mm (w) x 46.18 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 47.42 mm (w) x 48.26 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
3. A Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion, I Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a narrow Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by arabesque latticework, the obverse with green enameled arms, bearing a central white enameled medallion with a detailed and hand-painted depiction of Zähringen Castle, with a ribbed gilt ring, the reverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt lion rampant, within a ribbed gilt ring, the twelve o’clock arm with a suspension loop retaining a period original parade-styled ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.85 mm (w) x 42.48 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
4. A Braunschweig War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by oak leaves, above a date of “1914”, below a royal crown, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.30 mm (w) x 33.67 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.
5. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Glaser & Söhne, Dresden, measuring 37.55 mm (w) x 42.94 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
6. A Wehrmacht Long Service Decoration, I Class for 25 Years, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer device, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised number “25”, unmarked, measuring 40.06 mm (w) x 44.54 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
7. A Wehrmacht Long Service Decoration, III Class for 12 Years, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer device, the obverse bearing a central Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “12”, unmarked, measuring 29.87 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.
8. A Baden 1906 Jubilee Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing raised and rightward-facing profiles of Grand Duke Friedrich and Grand Duchess Luise, circumscribed by names and titles with dates “1856-1906”, the reverse bearing crowned and integrated coats of arms, above dates “1856-1906”, unmarked, measuring 35.27 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.
9. An Austrian Military Merit Cross, III Class, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel wreath, the obverse with red and white enameled arms, with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), within a red enameled ring, the reverse with a white enameled arms and centrepiece, unmarked, measuring 30.36 mm (w) x 33.80 mm (h), with some flecking to the enamels evident in addition to a small chip to the lower corner of the obverse nine o’clock arm, in very fine condition.
10. A Swedish Order of the Sword, II Class Knight’s Cross, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a saltre-style cross with white enameled arms and ball finials, joined together through the quadrants by silver crowns, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt sword surrounded by three crowns, the reverse bearing a blue enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt sword topped by a laurel crown and circumscribed by an inscription of “PRO PATRIA” (“FOR ONE’S COUNTRY”), topped by a crossed sword clasp and hollow crown suspension, unmarked, measuring 37.32 mm (w) x 55.06 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), the central medallion has loosened and now spins freely and minor chipping is evident to the arm enamel, in very fine condition.
All suspended from a 230 mm-long non-magnetic metal bar with a dark green wool reverse liner and horizontal pinback, unmarked, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by a period original custom-fitted presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the interior with a padded white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, the former bearing an inscription of “TREUE UM TREUE” (“LOYALTY BREEDS LOYALTY”), with a black velvet medal bed, closing with two functional bronze snap buttons, measuring 248 mm (w) x 95 mm (l) x 29 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Kurt Freiherr Röder von Diersburg was born on 29 February 1884 in Braunschweig, the son of Oberst Egenolf Freiherr Röder von Diersburg. The von Diersburg family descended from Swabian nobility and demonstrates an extensive history of military service. Appropriately, Kurt enlisted with Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Großherzog (1. Badisches) Nr. 14 as a flag cadet, later attending a field artillery academy where he rapidly rose through the ranks to become an Officer. Between 1 October 1910 and 15 July 1914, he commanded an artillery technical academy and achieved the rank of Oberleutnant by the outbreak of the First World War. During the conflict, von Diersburg was a member of an artillery testing commission and achieved the rank of Hauptmann on 24 December 1914, and was later a consultant to the War Ministry. For his service, he received a number of decorations, including both classes of the Iron Cross, as well as a Black Grade Wound Badge. After the war, von Diersburg was one of the Officers selected to remain in military service with the reduced Reichswehr. He continued to fulfill various consultant and inspection duties through the 1920s and 1930s, and remained in Wehrmacht service after the rise to power of the NSDAP. On 1 February 1941, he was promoted to Generalleutnant, and continued to receive positive assessments in his capacity as an inspector of artillery units from superiors, including General der Infanterie Gerhard Glokke and Generaloberst Friedrich Fromm. Captured by American forces on 13 April 1945, von Diersburg was cleared of any wartime offenses and released from captivity on 10 March 1947. He returned to private life and lived out his remaining years in Cologne, dying on 3 September 1974.