Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, by Friedrich Orth Republic of an example of the earliest

an example of the earliest metal star of the Order of the Zähringer Lion demonstrating the highest quality of jeweller craftsmanship

also in Gold

with interior pockets on each interior breast

chipping evident in the white and blue enamels

Later that same year

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, by Friedrich Orth Republic of an example of the earliest(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round wire catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 15 for Friedrich Orth, Vienna, measuring 48. 63 mm (w) x 48. 38 mm (h), weighing 16. 8 grams, demonstrating minor loss of finish, in near extremely fine