War Merit Cross First Class with Swords by L/13 (Paul Meybauer Berlin)

The War Merit Cross 1939 was awarded for merit that did not fall directly into the category of classic front-line combat decorations. The 1st Class with Swords indicates recognition connected with service under wartime conditions or within the military sphere and belongs to the notable German decorations of this period.

In the collecting field, examples with swords, in vaulted form and with screwback disc fastening are especially interesting, since these construction features differ clearly from the more common pin-back versions. Material aspects – here fine zinc – also play an important role in classification and comparison.

The maker mark L/13 identifies Paul Meybauer, Berlin, a well-known producer of awards and decorations. Well-preserved pieces with clear markings and a complete screwback construction remain desirable collector’s items in the field of German awards.