This is, in rank, just under the value of the German Cross in gold. It was awarded approximately 403 times to members of the Waffen SS and Army and Hitler considered it to be the highest infantry decoration, reserving the right to award it personally. The qualifications required were 50 days hand-to-hand combat, or 40 if the recipient was wounded.
This is made of zinc or pot metal, which has a heavy coat of gilding to the front, showing wear to the highlights (viz the bayonet blade, etc), and is nicely marked 'FEC.W.E.Peekhaus Berlin' (the designer), the maker being 'Ausf. A.G.M.u.K. Gablonz'. The reverse of the plate has a nice patinated bronze finish and the steel backing panel has been carefully restored, the original having been lost.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Militaria : Medals : Third Reich : Wehrmacht]
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