Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Unusual Case, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive two prongs on reverse may

two prongs on reverse may have been War time replaced

Army Air Forces Meritorious Service Award Certificate (to "MAJOR JOSEPH G STANDART"

on the basis of previous unofficial initiatives dating back to 1938

with a field grey wool backer

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Unusual Case, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive two prongs on reverse may(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with swords piercing the centre, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 4 for Steinhauer & Lck, Ldenscheid, measuring 48. 93 mm (w) x 47. 84 mm (h), weighing 18. 1 grams,