(Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuzes in Gold). Instituted 13 October 1944. (1944-1945 issue). A rare and desirable Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross in Gold, constructed of gilded silver, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and a vibrant gilt finish, the obverse with a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a central wreathed date of “1939”, the twelve o’clock arm with dual pillars connecting to an integral loop, in turn bearing a suspension ring connecting to a period original length of neck ribbon, the six o’clock arm marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “1” for Deschler & Sohn, München, and a silver content number of “900”, measuring 52.98 mm (w) x 61.07 mm (h), weighing 36.1 grams, in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The genesis of the Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross in Gold can be dated to 7 July 1944 when, in a meeting with AH, Albert Speer indicated the need for a superior grade of the award to recognize exceptional non-combatant contributions to the war effort as Germany became increasingly desperate. While official institution came on 13 October 1944, some sources attribute its foundation to the initial meeting between Speer and AH. An exceptionally rare decoration, only 21 had been officially bestowed by the end of the war, with estimates of several dozen more having been produced but not awarded. These surplus awards were recovered by the US Army, along with a trove of unissued Third Reich awards, at Schloss Klessheim.