Germany, Wehrmacht. A Unissued War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Case, By Descheler & Son Archive A silvered laurel branch was

A silvered laurel branch was bestowed on political prisoners or deportees

two gilt bronze rank pips

the chain measuring 65 mm in length

He was medically examined while in camp in England

Germany, Wehrmacht. A Unissued War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords And Case, By Descheler & Son Archive A silvered laurel branch was(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, 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 1 for Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 48. 62 mm (w) x 48. 33 mm (h), weighing 23.