Cased Honor Cross of the German Mother in Gold

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > Mother's Cross

A Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter 1. Stufe in Gold (2. Form) im Etui by Alois Rettenmaier of Scwablsch-Gmünd. Instituted December 16, 1938, the Honor Cross of the German Mother was awarded to mothers for exceptional merit to the German nation, who conceived and raised; four to five (bronze), six to seven (silver) or eight or more (gold) children and exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood. It is a two-piece construction, made out of die struck tombak base that has been gold gilded and includes blue (translucent), black and white enamel work and has been finished in a protective lacquer coating. The obverse is in the form of a Christian style cross and depicts; a centrally place static swastika, that is surrounded by “Der Deutschen Mutter” (The German Mother) and is in front of a sunburst pattern. The fullback reverse features a recessed: “16. December 1938” and Hitler’s facsimile signatures. To the top is a half hexagon shaped loop which holds a full length blue and white rayon ribbon. The enamel shows some cracking to the roundel. The cross measures 1 13/16 inches tall by 1 7/16 inches wide. It comes housed in its appropriate issue case. The case is constructed out of a wood and press cardboard base that has been covered with blue simulated leather. The top features a pressed gold foil gilded cross. The interior of the top lid of the case is lined in white satin and has an underlying pad. It is also maker marked: “A. Rettenmaier Schw. Gmünd”. The bottom interior of the case is made of a white velvet covered cardboard. The closure button and hinge continue to work well. The exterior shows several scuffs. The case measures 4 ½ inches long by 2 inches wide by 11/16 of an inch thick. A nice example a rarer maker.