Lot to a German Cross in Gold recipient which turned up at a little antique shop in Bavaria about 10 years ago. The name of the soldier was "Schwab". He scratched quite a few details on the back of the Iron Cross 1st Class:
We know it was Unteroffizier Schwab serving with 8./ Inf.Rgt.62 and received the EK1 on 23.10.41 in Russia. The place looks like WERAXA or WERAVA. (neither in Google Earth or in Google)
The only two German Cross recipients that come into consideration are:
Feldwebel Heinrich Schwab serving with4./ Inf.Btl.540 zbV awarded 8th Sept 1944
Feldwebel Leonhard Schwab serving with 1./Gren.Rgt.554 when awarded with the German Cross 30th August 1944.
Part of the lot is also full length EM/NCO cuff band "Infanterie-Regiment List" cuff band in good condition. Schwab must have been served in that Regiment (Gren.Rgt.199) around 1943 as this has been issued to the troops on 12.11.1943. The white letters has turned into a light green. It might have been washed too hot some time ago.
- cuffband "Infanterie-Regiment List": full length. Good condition. A bit washed out.
- Infantry Assault Badge in silver, hollow. Good condition
- 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class. Unmarked. Good condition. Well worn. Engraved.
- 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class. Unmarked. The core looks repainted.
- Wound Badge in black. Good condition
- Wound Badge in silver (postwar Souval example he might have purchased after the war)
- Westwall Medal (tombak). Good condition. Postwar ribbon.
- East Medal. Good condition. Postwar ribbon.
- 3 place ribbon bar
- 1957 miniature lapel pins to German Cross in Gold, Infantry Assault Badge in silver and Close Combat Clasp in silver.
German Cross in Gold
The German Cross in Gold is in very nice condition 1-2. No chips. No damage. It is manufactured by Steinhauer & Lück and unmarked. The cross is well made and has the same high standard as proven wartime manufacturers. However, crosses made by Steinhauer & Lück are supposed to be manufactured after 1945.
Schwab must have most of his awards as a prisoner of war. Things like his cuff band, the EK1 and EK2, East Medal etc. could have stayed at home. He might have even had a second set. As quite a few soldiers did, he tried to buy his awards after the war to display on a pillow. That would explain the postwar Wound Badge in silver, the two postwar ribbons and the German Cross in Gold. With a bit of research the correct "Schwab" can be found in the chronicles of the units he has served.
The most valuable item is definitely his cuff band. Please see pictures for more details.
