Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, Recipient-Personalized Example, by Wilhelm Deumer
(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a vaulted Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “3” for Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, also bearing hand-etched recipient initials of “G.W.” and a date of “30. I. 45” across the three and nine o’clock arms, measuring 47.04 mm (w) x 46.55 mm (h), weighing 17.3 grams, loss of silver finish is evident throughout, an interesting example in very fine condition.