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, late-war zinc construction. The cross features the classic Maltese cross design with finely pebbled arms and raised borders. The obverse displays a centrally positioned swastika encircled by an oak leaf wreath, while the reverse bears the date "1939" within a matching wreath. The crossed swords remain sharply detailed, and the medal exhibits an attractive untouched patina acquired through decades of age.

As is typical of zinc-produced examples, the majority of the original bronze finish has worn away, leaving the natural gray appearance of the zinc beneath. Traces of the original finish remain in protected areas, while honest handling and age-related wear are evident throughout, giving the medal an appealing, untouched character.

The cross is suspended from its original red, white, black, white, and red ribbon, which remains in excellent condition with only light handling and storage wear. The suspension ring is intact and unmarked, as commonly encountered on wartime-produced examples.

Overall, this is a nice original War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords, complete with its original ribbon. Its late-war zinc construction, unmarked manufacture, and honest age-related wear make it an excellent representative example for 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.