Germany, Third Reich. An Order of the German Eagle, I Class Cross with Swords

(Deutscher Adlerorden, Kreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 1 May 1937. (1943-1945 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms joined through the quadrants by gilded NSDAP-style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastikas on white enameled discs, the obverse overlaid across the three and nine o’clock arms with gilded crossed swords, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a fan suspension perforated with a loop, the latter connecting to a period-original full-length sash ribbon with a functional spring clip, without visible marks but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, measuring 50.60 mm (w) x 57.36 mm (h), weighing 27.9 grams, demonstrating minor loss of gilt finish to the silver base in addition to faint flecking and scratching to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.