Germany, Wehrmacht. A Cased War Merit Cross, I Class with Swords, by Deschler & Sohn

(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern, mit Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse with a central wreathed mobile swastika, with crossed swords piercing the centre, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with code “1” for Deschler & Sohn, München, measuring 48.40 mm (w) x 48.21 mm (h), weighing 20.6 grams, accompanied by its period original case of issue, constructed of card stock with a faux black leather exterior, the obverse lid with a silver embossed depiction of the decoration, the interior with a white satin-type lid liner, with an intact hinge cover and slotted black felt medal bed, unmarked, measuring 68 mm (w) x 68 mm (l) x 18 mm (h), in turn accompanied by its period original box of issue, constructed of tan-coloured card stock, the obverse with black inscription of “KRIEGSVERDIENSTKREUZ 1. KLASSE MIT SCHWERTERN” (“WAR MERIT CROSS I CLASS WITH SWORDS”), unmarked, measuring 75 mm (w) x 70 mm (l) x 24 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.