WW2 NAZI GERMANY WAR MERIT CROSS WITH SWORDS MEDAL #133 BY OTTO SCHICKLE, PFORZHEIM

Early war tone brass, die struck constructed bravery award in the form of a Maltese style cross with a circular centrepiece with an embossed, canted, swastika encircled by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath to the obverse. The reverse centrepiece has the embossed date,"1939", which is also encompassed by a nicely detailed oak-leaf wreath. The background field of both the obverse and reverse centrepieces is smooth while the arms of the cross have a pebbled background field with raised, smooth, outer edges. The swords, indicating bravery, emanated upward, between the arms of the cross. The ribbon suspension ring and medal loop are both intact. Maker marked "133" for Otto Schickle, Pforzheim. Retains the original award ribbon.

The War Merit Cross was instituted on October 18th 1939, in two classes with both classes issued, with and without swords, for award to military personnel and civilians, including females and foreigners, for exemplary service and/or bravery in Germany’s war effort, in a non-combatant role. The addition of swords to the award signified bravery while awards without swords were bestowed for service. Of Note: The War Merit cross series of awards was expanded on August 19th 1940, to include a Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross for award to personnel who had provided a substantial contribution to the war effort and the War Merit Medal for award to German nationals and foreign civilians who provided exceptional service to the war effort.