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

Description

This Original WWII German War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords is a period German military and civilian merit decoration dating from the Second World War.

Known in German as the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse ohne Schwerter, this example features the characteristic four-armed cross design with textured recessed fields and raised outer borders.

At the centre of the obverse is the period swastika emblem surrounded by a decorative circular border. The reverse carries the raised date 1939, identifying the model introduced at the beginning of the Second World War.

The upper suspension loop and ring remain present.

Original WWII German War Merit Cross: Historical Background

The War Merit Cross was instituted on 18 October 1939 as a German decoration intended to recognise meritorious service connected with the war effort.

Different grades and variations were produced, including versions with swords and without swords.

The version without swords was generally awarded for important non-combatant service. Recipients could include civilians as well as military personnel whose work contributed to wartime administration, industry, logistics and other supporting activities.

The version with swords was intended for merit involving a more direct military connection.

As one of the principal German wartime decorations, the Kriegsverdienstkreuz represents an important area of study for collectors of WWII German medals and awards.

Design and Construction

This example retains the classic design of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class Without Swords.

Each arm displays a fine stippled or pebbled surface surrounded by a raised border. The central medallion is framed by a decorative raised wreath-like edge.

The obverse displays the political emblem used during the period, while the reverse bears the raised date 1939.

One of the most interesting visual characteristics of this example is its aged bronze or golden-brown finish. The remaining colour is uneven due to age and handling, producing attractive tonal variation across the recessed fields, outer borders and central medallions.

Condition

The decoration is preserved in clearly used historical condition.

Visible characteristics include:

• bronze/golden-brown aged finish
• darkened recessed areas
• surface wear to raised details
• visible patina throughout
• small areas of green oxidation or verdigris
• intact suspension eye
• suspension ring present
• clearly defined 1939 date
• textured cross arms remaining well visible
• no aggressive polishing apparent from the photographs

The natural ageing has deliberately been left visible and forms part of the historical character of the piece.

No maker number or manufacturer marking can be confidently identified from the supplied photographs. For this reason, the decoration is offered without attribution to a particular manufacturer.

Collector Interest

The Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse ohne Schwerter remains a classic addition to a collection of German WWII decorations.

Collectors frequently study these crosses according to manufacturer, alloy, finish, suspension construction and surviving surface characteristics.

This particular example is visually appealing because of the considerable amount of warm bronze-toned finish that remains alongside darker age-related patination.

It would display particularly well alongside an Iron Cross, War Merit Cross with Swords, Eastern Front Medal or other German wartime decorations.

The photographs show the exact piece offered and form an essential part of the condition description.

This historical artefact is offered exclusively for collecting, academic research and documentation of twentieth-century history. Period political symbols are described solely as identifying elements of the historical object and do not represent endorsement or promotion of the ideology associated with them.

Further Reading

For historical background, see Deutsches Historisches Museum: “Ehrenzeichen”, on the history of German decorations.

Before buying, read my Complete Collector’s Guide to WWII German Medals.