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, with crossed swords set through the centrepiece, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse of the pinback maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “62” for Kerbach & Österhelt, Dresden, measuring 48.85 mm (w) x 48.58 mm (h), weighing 24.2 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a card stock frame with a faux black leather exterior, the lid bearing a silver embossed depiction of the award, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted black felt medal bed, unmarked, measuring 66 mm (w) x 66 mm (h), x 20 mm (h), minor material fatigue is evident to the case, in overall near extremely fine condition.

