Aged Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939 – Original German War Merit Medal with Ribbon

Description

This original Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939 is the German War Merit Medal, the lowest grade of the War Merit Cross award system, introduced on 19 August 1940. It has a dark, naturally aged bronze patina and retains its ribbon, on which the narrow red centre stripe that identifies the medal is clearly visible.

What is the Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939?

The War Merit Cross was instituted in October 1939. On 19 August 1940 the system was extended with a Knight’s Cross grade and, at the lowest level, this circular medal, for meritorious wartime service that did not reach the threshold of the cross itself.

According to the Australian War Memorial, it went primarily to civilian industrial and agricultural workers, as well as to flak auxiliaries, Red Cross personnel and members of other organisations supporting the war effort. It was awarded to several million people, so its interest lies not in rarity but in what it documents: the vast civilian and industrial workforce on which wartime Germany depended.

Why does it read 1939 if it was introduced in 1940?

The medal belongs to the War Merit Cross system founded in 1939 and carries that date. The reverse reads, on four lines, Für Kriegsverdienst 1939 (“For War Merit 1939”).

How is it identified?

The obverse shows the War Merit Cross in relief, always without swords, with the period state emblem at its centre. The ribbon follows the War Merit Cross colours but adds a thin red stripe through the middle of the black field. That stripe is the quickest way to tell the medal’s ribbon from that of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class, and it is clearly visible on INS97.

No maker mark is visible on INS97, which is normal for this medal. Its surface is consistent with a bronzed example; I do not assign a specific alloy without physical testing.

For a brighter example of the same medal, see INS92. For the crosses of the same system, see the War Merit Cross without swords (INS94) and the War Merit Cross with swords (INS93), or our WWII German Medals collector’s guide.

Collector’s Note

The ribbon is the best friend of anyone sorting a Kriegsverdienstmedaille from a War Merit Cross: the Kriegsverdienstmedaille ribbon alone carries the thin red centre stripe. On this Kriegsverdienstmedaille it survives clearly despite the fading.

Condition

Good used historical condition:

• Dark bronze-brown patina with general surface wear, oxidation and age spotting.
• Obverse cross and central emblem clearly visible.
• Reverse inscription legible, with wear to the lettering.
• Suspension eye and ring intact.
• Ribbon present with its narrow red centre stripe; marked ageing, with the red areas faded towards orange-red, folds and minor edge fraying.

Supplied as the medal and ribbon only: no award envelope or document. All photographs show the actual piece offered and form part of this condition description.

Frequently asked questions

Was it a combat award?
No. It recognised wartime merit below the level of the War Merit Cross, very often in civilian work.

Is it rare?
No. Several million were awarded.

Why are the red parts of the ribbon orange?
The red has faded with age and light exposure.

Is INS97 maker marked?
No maker mark is visible.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This item is offered exclusively as a historical artefact for collecting, preservation, education and research. Period political symbolism is visible because it forms an integral part of the original design. Autographs & Militaria does not endorse or glorify the ideology or political system it represents.

References & Further Reading

• Australian War Memorial, Nazi War Merit Medal (RELAWM30383) – material, ribbon, institution in August 1940 and recipients.
• John R. Angolia, For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich (R. James Bender Publishing, 1987) – design, ribbon and numbers awarded.