Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class with Swords and Case, by Kerbach & Österhelt
(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse of the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “52” for Kerbach & Österhelt, Dresden, measuring 48.52 mm (w) x 48.58 mm (h), weighing 25.2, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux black leather exterior, the lid with a silver embossed depiction of the decoration, the interior with a white satin-type lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted black canvas medal bed, opening with a functional spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional metal hinge, the lid liner maker marked “KERBACH & ÖSTERHELT, DRESDEN”, measuring 68 mm (w) x 68 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition.

