Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, By Steinhauer & Lück Archive The hook and eye closures

The hook and eye closures at the collar have been lost to time but the protective tab remains on the left side

which may possibly be an issue box

He was a Machine Fitters Apprentice when he joined th Royal Navy in Devonport on April 15

running from the front to the rear

Commander's neck cross

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class With Swords, By Steinhauer & Lück Archive The hook and eye closures(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern). Constructed of feinzink, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms, with a central wreathed mobile swastika, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a thick wire catch, marked 4 on the pinback (Steinhauer & Lck), measuring 48. 51 mm (w) x 48. 48 mm (h), weighing 17. 6 g, very fine.