Original German WWII War Merit Cross With Swords Second Class With Ribbon Unmarked

Original German WWII War Merit Cross With Swords Second Class With Ribbon Unmarked

This is an original German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern), complete with its original ribbon. Instituted on October 18, 1939, by Adolf Hitler, the award recognized military personnel and civilians for meritorious service contributing to the German war effort. The addition of crossed swords signifies that the recipient performed their service under combat conditions or in direct support of combat operations.

This example is an unmarked variant and appears to be manufactured from brass, an early-war construction material occasionally encountered before wartime material shortages led to increased zinc production. The cross displays the classic Maltese cross design with pebbled arms and raised borders. The obverse features a centrally positioned swastika surrounded by an oak leaf wreath, while the reverse bears the date "1939" within a matching wreath. The crossed swords are sharply detailed, and the medal retains an attractive aged patina with honest wear consistent with period use.

The medal is suspended from its original red, white, black, white, and red ribbon, which remains in very good condition with only light handling and storage wear. The suspension ring is intact and unmarked, as is typical for many wartime examples.

Overall, this is a very nice original early-war War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords, complete with its original ribbon. Its apparent brass construction, unmarked manufacture, and pleasing untouched patina make it an excellent addition to any collection of German WWII awards or Third Reich militaria.

Please note: Portions of the photos have been digitally censored for platform compliance only. The item itself is completely unaltered. Additional uncensored photos are available upon request. Contact us at [email protected], call or text us at (856) 294-9310.