Germany – Third Reich: A scarce silver grade German Cross, four rivet construction, with maker mark ‘20’ to the pin for C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim, weighing 43.4g and measuring 63mm in diameter contained in its official presentation case, this with applied thin silver band decoration to lid.
Condition: Service wear throughout and toned in places; the box base with significant scarring and internal silk material covering the hinge marked in ink £18.10 0
The German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28th September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: gold for repeated acts of bravery or achievement in combat; and silver for distinguished non-combat war service. The German Cross in Gold ranked higher than the Iron Cross 1st Class but below the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, while the German Cross in Silver ranked higher than the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords.
Only 1,114 silver grade German Crosses were awarded during the Second World War.
