Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mint War Merit Cross I Class, by Karl Gschiermeister visually-hidden as he had been wounded

as he had been wounded as the result of a gas shell attack on July 31

inside of a black enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ” (“GERMAN RED CROSS”)

the obverse bears a high relief bust of Columbus with the inscription COLUMBUS from 1 to 3 o’clock near the outer edge

unofficial manufacture

Fovargue was then sent home to England

Germany, Wehrmacht. A Mint War Merit Cross I Class, by Karl Gschiermeister visually-hidden as he had been wounded(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central mobile swastika, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 50 for Karl Gschiermeister, Vienna, measuring 48. 59 mm (w) x 48. 09 mm (h), weighing 14. 8 grams, a superb example in near mint condition.