Germany, NSDAP. A German Order, I Class, Museum Exhibition Example by Förster & Barth
(Deutscher Orden, I. Klasse Museumsstück). A post-1945 manufactured (probbaly ca.1960's), scarce and high-quality museum exhibition example of the German Order, I Class, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with black enameled arms joined through the quadrants by gilded NSDAP-style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastikas, the obverse arms trimmed along the outer edges with gilded oak leaf wreath, featuring a central white enameled medallion bearing a central black mobile swastika within a red ring, the latter bearing an inscription of “NATIONAL-SOZIALISTISCHE D.A.P.”, in turn surrounded by a circular oak leaf wreath, the reverse featuring a central black enameled medallion bearing a gilt signature of the Führer, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, in turn retaining a gilded silver Oak Leaf and Swords clasp intended for use on a Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross but likely intended to simulate the laurel leave and swords denoting the I Class of the German Order, the cross unmarked and the clasp stamped on the reverse with a silver content number of “830” and maker marked with LDO code “L/21” for Förster & Barth, Pforzheim, the cross measuring 49.28 mm (w) x 54.64 mm (h), the clasp measuring 25.42 mm (w) x 29.18 mm (h), weighing 59.0 grams, in extremely fine condition.

