Original medal?
 

I know very little about german medals, I'm not a collector of such.

Somehow I got the idea to use a medal for display along with a Luger, so I purchased this one (as original..)
But doesn't it look a bit too 'minty' to be about 70 years old??


http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/508913682_big.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...3682_2_big.jpg

It looks fine. The envelope has afforded it good protection over the years.

Steinar its a 100% original war service cross. A very common medal many are found stillin the envelope.

Thanks George and Richard, I was quite sure it was fake.
Since they lost the war, I guess it makes sence that many where still in their emvelopes..

Out of curiosity, I payed $62 for it, was I far off?

Recently I sold two without swords but with envelopes for $40 each. I imagine that the cross with swords is probably worth more also yours is in mint condition.

Steinar,
This is a 1939 War Merit Cross with Swords. It is a lesser award than the Iron Cross and typically these were awarded for bravery not in direct connection with combat to both military and civilians. The award came in bronze and silver classes and with and without swords. Bronze without swords being the lowest class and silver with swords being the highest. Some receipients referred to these as "Iron Cross Training" awards. There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.3 million of the various classes awarded during the course of the war to civilians, military members and distinguished foreigners. Yours is a nice 2nd Class with Swords variant worth about $60 USD in today's market.
Lyn

Thanks for the new info Lyn, I did not know that..
I guess both the seller and I did ok on this deal.

It would seem as collecting ww2 medals is a minefield of reproductions, so with my limited knowledge, I don't dare to step into it any more than I already have.