Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, Screwback Version, by C.F. Zimmermann Auction on a string as worn

on a string as worn

Hans-Otto Meissner

a truly unique memento of Germany’s First World War ace-of-aces demonstrating notable quality and attention to detail

featuring one with five decorations

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class with Swords, Screwback Version, by C.F. Zimmermann Auction on a string as worn(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross with crossed swords piercing the centre, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a central threaded screwpost retaining an original backplate, maker marked with LDO code L 52 for C. F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim, measuring 49. 38 mm (w) x 48. 75 mm (h), weighing 20. 4 grams, demonstrating near total