Germany - Third Reich: Bronze Class Medal of Merit of the Order of the German Eagle, 1937-1945, 3rd type form (December 1943 onwards), of late war manufacture in in bronze-toned zinc alloy, ring stamped ’30’ for the Hauptmunzamt of Wien (Vienna Mint), reverse with “block” script, with original 3rd type ribbon.
Condition: Bronze finish now largely faded, Very Fine.
The Order of Merit of the German Eagle was a diplomatic and honorary award given to prominent foreigners, particularly diplomats. It was created by Adolf Hitler on 1st May 1937, based on a personal request of Foreign Minister Dr. Meissner. All initially awarded decorations followed a manufacturer released, specific design until the first modification of the order’s statutes on 20th April 1939, which added a Military Division with Crossed Swords. The order as well as the medal was manufactured by Deschler & Sohn in Munich. It is assumed that a slight design changed occurred at or before 20th April 1939, with the change to its final manufacturer, Godet in Berlin. The medals were now coined at either the Berlin or the Vienna Mint.
In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a 'Special Degree' (Sonderstufe), with identical insignia to the Grand Cross of the Order. Accordingly, Foreign Minister Constantin von Neurath, received the Special Degree of the Order, with a further award to Joachim von Ribbbentrop on his appointment as Foreign Minister in 1938. In 1943 Dr. Wilhelm Frick received the Special Degree after becoming Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia.
From 1937 to 1943 the Order was presented in six classes:
1) Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with star (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
2) Order of the German Eagle with Star (Deutscher Adlerorden mit Stern)
3) Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)
4) Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)
5) Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)
6) German Medal of Merit (Deutsche Verdienstmedaille)
A unique Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens in Gold und Brillanten) was also awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25th September 1937.
On 27th December 1943 the Order was reorganised into nine classes:
1) Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Star (Goldenes Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
2) Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with Star (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
3) Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)
4) Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)
5) Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)
6) Order of the German Eagle 4th Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Vierte Stufe)
7) Order of the German Eagle 5th Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Fünfte Stufe)
8) Silver Medal of Merit (Silberne Verdienstmedaille)
9) Bronze Medal of Merit (Bronzene Verdienstmedaille)
