WW2 German War Merit Cross 2nd Class With Swords Full Size No Maker

The WW2 German War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords is a full-size military decoration awarded during the Second World War by Nazi Germany. Instituted on 18 October 1939, the War Merit Cross recognized meritorious service not involving direct combat but contributing to the war effort. The variant with swords distinguished recipients who had rendered such service under conditions involving personal risk or exposure to enemy actions. This example represents the 2nd Class version without a maker’s mark, as indicated by the absence of any manufacturer’s code or stamping on the suspension ring. The cross is formed in the traditional Maltese style and includes crossed swords between its arms, signifying wartime services. It is constructed from a zinc alloy with a bronze wash finish, displaying the raised image of the 1939 date on the obverse, along with the prominent national symbol of the period. The award was typically worn suspended from a ribbon on the left breast.