(Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse des Verdienstordens). In bronze gilt with red and black enamels, measuring 54 mm (w) x 54.5 mm (h), vertical pinback, intact enamels, extremely fine. Accompanied by its 10.2 mm (w) x 8.5 mm (h) ribbon bar with button hole attachment maker marked "STEINHAUER & LÜCK LÜDENSCHEID", in its hardshelled case of issue, Federal Republic coat-of-arms in gold-coloured ink on the lid, maker marked "STEINHAUER & LÜCK Lüdenscheid" on the bottom, navy blue felt medal bed slotted for the award, scuffing and wear evident on the exterior, case near very fine. Also included is a Twenty-Five Years' Naval Service stickpin in silvered bronze with red and black enamels, maker marked "HOFFSTÄTTER BONN" on the reverse, measuring 13 mm (w) x 16.5 mm (h), on a 42.8 mm pin.
Footnote: The Order of Merit is the highest honour that the Federal Republic of Germany bestows and was instituted by President Theodor Heuss on September 7, 1951, second anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic, "with the desire to create a visible expression of recognition and thanks for meritorious men and women of the German people and from abroad for service in the fields of politics, socio-economics and intellectual work and for service in rebuilding the fatherland, and, as an award intended for all, for contributions to enhancing Germany’s reputation abroad". ("In dem Wunsche, verdienten Männern und Frauen des deutschen Volkes und des Auslandes Anerkennung und Dank sichtbar zum Ausdruck zu bringen, stifte ich am 2. Jahrestag der Bundesrepublik Deutschland den ,Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Er wird verliehen für Leistungen, die im Bereich der politischen, der wirtschaftlich-sozialen und der geistigen Arbeit dem Wiederaufbau des Vaterlandes dienten, und soll eine Auszeichnung all derer bedeuten, deren Wirken zum friedlichen Aufstieg der Bundesrepublik Deutschland beiträgt").