Cased Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class with Swords by 21

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > NSDAP

A Verdienstkreuz III. Stufe des Ordens vom Deutschen Adler mit Schwertern 1943 im Etui by 21 900 - Gebrüder Godet & Co. of Berlin. Instituted May 1, 1937, (Reorganized April 29, 1939, and again on December 27, 1943) the Order of Merit of the German Eagle, was awarded by Hitler to foreign nationals who had made a meritorious contribution to the German Reich on the recommendation of the Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs. The 3rd Class / Stage III was awarded to the following ranks: Oberst, Kapitän zur See, Oberstleutnant and Fregattenkapitän. It is constructed out of a multi-piece die struck 900 silver base that has been gold fire gilded, chemical burnished and contains white enamel work, all behind a lacquer coating. The obverse features a Maltese style white cross, behind two crossed broad swords and has four national eagles between each arm of the cross. The reverse is the same as the obverse, without the swords. To the top is a fan, ball loop and ring that is marked “900” (silver content designation) and “21” (Gebrüder Godet & Co., Berlin). The ring holds a tri-color (red, white and black) rayon ribbon that has a stitched-on, well working, gilded, brass pin assembly. The cross measures 1 ¾ inches wide and tall. The award comes housed in its issue case. The case is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a red faux leatherette. The top features a pressed gold foil National eagle with a thin gilt border. The interior lid has an underlying pad that is lined in white satin and in gold foil reads: “Verdienstkreuz III. Stufe des Ordens vom Deutschen Adler mit Schwertern”—Note: the third “I” has faded. The bottom interior of the case is constructed out of a cardboard base that is covered in a black felt material that has recesses for the award and pin assembly. To the very front is a riveted-on plated steel / gilded tombak ornate clasp assembly. The differing materials make me think they were getting low on parts or it has been period repaired. The very back features a piano hinge that is covered by the simulated leather. Both continue to work very well. There are two cracks to the reverse corners of the lid. Minor scuffs throughout. The case measures 2 ¾ x 4 7/8 x 15/16. A beautiful looking award.