War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern)

This is a German Second World War military decoration known as the War Merit Cross, Second Class with Swords. The medal features a Maltese-style cross design cast in a bronze-toned metal alloy, typically tombak or zinc with a bronze wash. At its center is a circular oak-leaf wreath encircling a raised swastika. Two broadswords are crossed behind the award, indicating it was earned for meritorious service under fire or in a combat-related environment. The cross measures approximately 48mm across and has a pebbled or stippled finish on the arms of the cross within a smooth raised border. The medal is suspended from its original ribbed silk ribbon, which displays a vertical color pattern of red, white, and black—the national colors of Germany during that era. The condition appears to be moderately worn, showing a significant dark patina and some loss of the original bronze finish on the raised highlights of the central disk and sword hilts. The ribbon is frayed at the top attachment point and shows signs of age-related discoloration and handled wear. While maker's marks were common on the suspension ring, they are not clearly visible in this photograph. This award was instituted by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 to recognize bravery and service that did not directly qualify for the Iron Cross.

I have carefully examined the provided images of this German War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. The piece displays a characteristic Maltese cross construction with the standard pebbled finish and central swastika within an oak leaf wreath. The presence of the swords indicates this was the combatant version of the award. Based on the visible wear and the dark, matte coloration, this appears to be a mid-to-late war 'Zink' (zinc) production piece rather than the earlier tombak versions, as evidenced by the typical 'bubbling' and loss of bronze wash on the high points. The condition is graded as 'Good' to 'Very Good.' The dark patina is consistent with age, and the fraying of the ribbon suggests it is a period-original silk attachment rather than a modern polyester replacement. In the current militaria market, the War Merit Cross is one of the most common awards of the Third Reich, with millions produced. Unlike the Iron Cross, supply remains high, which keeps the valuation stable but relatively low. Values for zinc examples without a visible maker's mark on the ribbon ring typically fall in the $45-$65 range. If a rare maker's mark (such as '1' or '2') were identified on the suspension ring, the value could increase by 20%. Limitations: This appraisal is based strictly on photographic evidence. A physical inspection is required to verify the weight, ring closure, and UV-reactivity of the ribbon to definitively rule out high-quality post-war reproductions. Proving provenance through a 'Soldbuch' (paybook) or award document would significantly enhance the historical value and collector demand.