23rd Contemporary History Auction

Bidding on 1249 lots has ended on 10th June 2018. 82% of all lots sold

0189 |

German Cross in gold with case (20) - Zimmermann

German Cross in gold with case (20) - Zimmermann

LOT 31-0189
SOLD
Auction ended        9th June 2018  |  04:05 pm CEST
RESULT
2.250,00
EXCL. BUYER’S PREMIUM: 17,5 %

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DESCRIPTion, DETaILS & Photos
SAVE FOR LATER
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER C.F. Zimmermann
WEIGHT
LOT 31-0189
EAN 2000000247230
LOT 31-0189
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
EAN 2000000247230
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
MAKER C.F. Zimmermann
WEIGHT
PERIOD
COUNTRY Deutschland
LOT 31-0189
MATERIAL
DIMENSIONS
EAN 2000000247230
MAKER C.F. Zimmermann
WEIGHT


Description

A nicely worn German Cross in gold made by Zimmermann. "20" maker marked on the pin. Collectors call this a light Zimmermann according to construction and weight. Typical Zimmermann manufacturing details. Lovely patina to the front and reverse.

No chipping however, slight scratches to the enamel.
Weight: 45,2 gr.
 
Matching black case of issue with silk lining. Black inlay. Typical gold liner around it. Opening and closing correctly.

Good condition.



Condition
See description
Historical information

NAME

German Cross in Gold

DATE OF INSTITUTION

28. September 1941 as a military order in two grades. A special grade, the German Cross in Gold with Diamonds was planned and prototypes were made.

AWARD CRITERIA

The golden grade was awarded for multiple exceptional deeds of bravery or leadership and the silver grade for exceptional deeds in troop leadership. The award of the Iron Cross 1. Class, the Spange 1. Class , or the War Merit Cross 1. Class was a pre-requisite for the awarding of the German Cross. The German Cross was located above the Iron Cross 1. Class and War Merit Cross 1. Class but below the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, respectively the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross.

MANUFACTURERS

The German Cross was awarded by the decision of the supreme commanders of the three army branches.

The German Cross was produced by five known manufacturers and maybe one or two not yet known companies. The known manufacturers are Deschler & Sohn, who designed the cross, Gebrüder Godet, C.E. Juncker, C.F. Zimmermann, and Otto Klein.

Early crosses are unmarked and from the end of 1942/early 1943 onwards, the crosses were marked with the Präsidialkanzlei numbers of the companies.

Due to the heavy and slightly bulky nature of the award, a cloth version was authorized in June 1942. The cloth version can be found with eight different cloth backing colors: field gray (army), dark blue (navy), blue-gray (LW), black (tank forces), stone gray (assault gun), olive (Africa Heer), light khaki (Africa LW), and white (summer uniform).

AWARD NUMBERS

Accurate numbers are not known but the closest estimation based on surviving documents are 25,964 for the gold grade and 2,471 for the silver grade. A known total of eleven soldiers were awarded both grades.

The crosses were mainly stored and registered at the Präsidalkanzlei and were given out by this office. It is possible that smaller numbers were stored at the personnel offices of the three army branches.

AWARD DOCUMENTS

The Heer issued preliminary award documents in the format A5, followed by a larger (356 mm x 254 mm) formal document. The Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine never issued any preliminary documents, only the formal ones in the same size as the formal document of the Heer.

WEARING METHOD

The German Cross was worn at the right side of the uniform on the breast pocket.

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