Bidspirit auction | War Merit Cross 2nd Class

War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords. - War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz II ohne Schwerter) The War Merit Cross was instituted on October 18th 1939, in two classes with both classes issued, with and without swords, for award to military personnel and civilians, including females and foreigners, for exemplary service and/or bravery in Germany’s war effort, in a non-combatant role. The addition of swords to the award signified bravery while awards without swords were bestowed for service. Die struck bronze alloy service award with a bronze wash is in the form of a Maltese style cross with a circular centerpiece with an embossed, canted, swastika encircled by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath to the obverse. The reverse centerpiece has the embossed date, ”1939”, which is also encompassed by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath. The background field of both the obverse and reverse centerpieces is smooth while the arms of the cross have a pebbled background field with raised, smooth, outer edges. The medal loop and ribbon suspension ring are both intact. The award comes complete with a piece of original ribbed rayon ribbon. Also complete with the original tissue paper and Deschler marked award envelope.