An Extremely Fine First War Period 1917/1918 Pour-le-Mérite by Wagner

This cross is an excellent example of a highly desirable early twentieth century Pour le Mérite of very fine quality wartime manufacture by Wagner of Berlin. The PLM is in the shape of a four-armed Maltese cross and is finely crafted out of solid silver, gilt, and wonderfully preserved blue enamels. It measures 53.10 mm (h) x 53.36 mm (w) and is 2.65 mm thick at the arms, weighing 25.0 grams. It is marked “938” for silver content, and is maker marked “W” for Wagner of Berlin. The four open-beaked eagles have been carefully hand-etched with beautiful cross-hatching on their breasts. The PLM is suspended from a loop on the upper arm via a 22.15 mm x 11.27 mm double-looped spange. It is presented with the period-correct 250 mm x 55 mm ribbon, crafted out of black vertically ribbed weaving with 7 mm wide tress-like silver bullion weaving in the form of a solid horizontal line 2 mm from the edge of the ribbon at the top and bottom. Overall, this is a very fine quality manufacture Pour le Mérite in better than extremely fine condition, with wonderfully preserved enamels and light patina.