A genuine Third Reich War Merit Cross 2nd Class, without swords. The cross retains its ribbon loop to the upper eyelet, threaded with a length of original ribbon in the red-white-black-white-red scheme.
The award was instituted by Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant version of the Iron Cross, ranking immediately below it in the order of precedence. The version without swords was intended for those whose service furthered the war effort without direct combat involvement, and was open to both military and civilian recipients.
A nice example of this widely-worn Second World War German decoration, suitable for the collector of Second World War medals and militaria.
AJMS Medals