Original WWII German War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords 1939 – Kriegsverdienstkreuz with Ribbon

Description

Original WWII German War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords 1939

This original WWII German War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords, officially known as the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse ohne Schwerter, is a genuine period German decoration dating from the Second World War era.

The War Merit Cross was established in 1939 as part of the German wartime awards system. The Second Class existed both with Swords and without Swords, allowing a distinction to be made between different forms of wartime merit. The version without Swords was principally associated with meritorious service that did not involve the direct combat-related circumstances represented by the crossed-swords version.

INS33 is a particularly interesting example because of its strongly aged appearance. Rather than retaining the brighter bronze coloration sometimes encountered on Kriegsverdienstkreuz examples, this medal has developed a predominantly dark grey-brown surface with visible age patination and variations in tone across the cross.

These characteristics give the decoration an unmistakably historical appearance and make it visually quite different from the cleaner INS31 example.

Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse ohne Schwerter

The medal has the characteristic Maltese-style cross construction associated with the German War Merit Cross.

Each of the four arms displays a finely pebbled or stippled interior field surrounded by a raised smooth border. The textured surfaces remain clearly visible despite the extensive natural ageing of the finish.

At the centre of the obverse is the period emblem surrounded by the characteristic circular wreath.

Importantly, there are no crossed swords behind the central medallion. This identifies the decoration as the ohne Schwerter — without Swords — variant.

The reverse follows the same textured four-arm design and carries the clearly raised date:

1939

The year refers to the institution of the decoration and is one of the most recognizable identifying characteristics of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz. Museum examples likewise show the central period emblem on the obverse and “1939” on the reverse.

Original-Style WWII Suspension Ribbon

INS33 retains its characteristic red, white and black ribbon.

The ribbon consists of a broad black central stripe bordered by light stripes and red outer edges. This red-white-black-white-red arrangement is the standard ribbon associated with the War Merit Cross 2nd Class.

The ribbon on this example displays folds, minor fraying and normal age-related textile wear.

It has not been artificially presented as new, and the visible ageing complements the darker appearance of the medal itself.

The suspension ring and medal loop remain present, allowing the decoration to hang normally from the ribbon.

Distinctive Dark Patina

One of the strongest collecting features of this particular example is its surface condition.

The medal shows extensive darkening across both the obverse and reverse. Areas of warmer bronze coloration remain visible around portions of the raised borders and central details, while much of the exposed surface has developed a grey to dark brown appearance.

This appearance can be encountered on period decorations where the original surface treatment has worn or aged over time.

Some original War Merit Cross 2nd Class examples were produced in bronzed zinc, and loss of the bronze finish can produce a much greyer appearance. A comparable dealer-catalogued example is specifically described as constructed from bronzed zinc.

However, without physical testing or an identifiable manufacturer mark, INS33 is not attributed here to a specific base metal or maker. The description is deliberately limited to what can be responsibly established from the actual object.

Condition

The decoration is in honest, age-used collectible condition.

The pebbled fields remain sharply visible across all four arms.

The raised borders are well defined.

The central wreath retains clear detail.

The obverse emblem remains easily recognizable.

The reverse “1939” date is strongly preserved.

The suspension loop is intact.

The accompanying ribbon remains present with expected folding and textile wear.

Surface oxidation, dark patination, finish loss, rubbing and small age-related marks are visible throughout.

These characteristics have not been concealed and can be studied in detail in the accompanying photographs.

No manufacturer number can be confidently identified from the available photographs, and therefore no speculative maker attribution is made.

Historical Importance for Collectors

The Kriegsverdienstkreuz occupies an important position within German WWII medal collecting because it represents the enormous range of military-support, industrial, administrative and civilian activity that existed behind a modern wartime system.

The version without Swords was used for merit outside the type of direct enemy-action circumstances associated with the version carrying crossed swords.

For today’s collector, this creates two clearly distinguishable principal variants of the Second Class: mit Schwertern and ohne Schwerter.

INS33 is therefore particularly suitable for a collection built around German WWII awards, different Kriegsverdienstkreuz variants, wartime German home-front history, medal construction, comparative patination or original WWII militaria.

It can also be displayed alongside a War Merit Cross with Swords to demonstrate the visual and historical differences between both versions.

Collector Character

What distinguishes INS33 from a cleaner example is precisely its untouched visual character.

The aged metal finish, strongly toned surface, period-style ribbon and clearly preserved 1939 reverse combine to create a decoration with significant historical presence.

For collectors who prefer militaria displaying natural age rather than a recently polished appearance, this example is particularly appealing.

Authenticity

INS33 is catalogued and offered as an original WWII-period German Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse ohne Schwerter.

Authenticity is guaranteed by Autographs & Militaria according to the cataloguing provided.

The photographs show the actual decoration offered and form an integral part of the description. They should be examined carefully when evaluating patina, ribbon condition, surface wear and individual characteristics.

Historical Context Notice

This historical object is offered exclusively for collecting, preservation, research and educational purposes.

The presence of symbols associated with National Socialist Germany is intrinsic to the original historical artifact and does not represent support, promotion or sympathy for National Socialism, totalitarianism or any related ideology.