Braunschweig - 1st Class War Merit Cross

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A Braunschweig Kriegsverdienstkreuz (Ernst-Augustkreuz) 1. Klasse 1914-1918. The War Merit Cross was donated by Duke Ernst August von Braunschweig on October 23, 1914 for combatants and on November 17, 1915 for non-combatants . On March 20, 1918, the first class and the probationary badge were donated. The prerequisite was Brunswick citizenship and possession of the Iron Cross. It was awarded for services rendered during the World War without distinction of rank or station. The first class cross was awarded a total of around 2660 times. It is constructed out of a die struck tombak/copper metal base that has been bronze washed. The obverse features; a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed “EA” (Duke Ernst August) flanked by two oak leaf clusters on either side, a Kings crown to the top arm and “1914” to the lower arm, which is all on a pebbled base and surrounded by a flat outlying border. The full back reverse displays: a coke bottle pin, a soldered on rectangular wire catch and a soldered-on block hinge. It has nice vaulting. It measures 1 5/8 inches wide and tall. A nice one!