Germany, Wehrmacht. A German Cross in Silver, by Deschler & Sohn

(Deutsches Kreuz in Silber). Instituted 28 September 1941. (1941-1945 issue). Constructed of silvered and patinated tombak with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a eight-pointed double-overlaid ribbed starburst pattern, bearing a central silvered disc overlaid by a black enameled mobile swastika, set within a circular laurel leaf wreath wrapped in ribbon and joined together at the bottom by a date of “1941”, with both the inner and outer edges of the wreath trimmed by red enameled rings, the reverse with four visible rivets securing the obverse features in place, with a crimped barrel hinge and tapering flattened pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked but with the characteristics of the heavy four-rivet version produced by the firm of Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 63.27 mm (w) x 63.39 mm (h), weighing 69.8 grams, with only minor loss of finish evident, an uncommon badge in overall extremely fine condition.