Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords and Case, by Deschler & Sohn Auction and is dated to April

and is dated to April 21

the author ends with appendices which show how the various titles of naval rates have changed over the years and how the system of official numbering has been adapted to serve a steadily growing force

became a member of the Luftwaffe as there are images of him later in life in uniform

one in browning brass

the obverse bearing a machine-embroidered dark blue lightning bolt

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords and Case, by Deschler & Sohn Auction and is dated to April(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 1 for Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 48. 47 mm (w) x 48. 41 mm (h), weighing 24.