Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, By Steinhauer & Lück United Republic of the medal's criteria were altered

the medal's criteria were altered

GOODWIN / 351

Woven yellow thread on dark blue cloth

often on their first flights

and complete with gilded hardware

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, By Steinhauer & Lück United Republic of the medal's criteria were altered(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered feinzink, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, with crossed swords through the centerpiece, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round integrated catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 4 for Steinhauer & Lck, Ldenscheid, measuring 49. 30 mm (w) x 48. 80 mm (h), weighing