Original medal?

Lyn Islaub · 07-10-2007, 07:43 PM

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

07-10-2007, 07:43 PM	#6
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	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