WW2 German West Mall Medal Full Size Without Ribbon

The WW2 German West Wall Medal, officially known as the “Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen,” was instituted on 2 August 1939 to recognize military personnel and civilian workers who contributed to the construction and defense of Germany’s western fortifications (the West Wall or Siegfried Line) prior to and during the early years of the Second World War. This example is the full-size version without the ribbon. The medal is struck from a bronze alloy and features an obverse depicting a crossed sword and shovel over a bunker with an oak leaf spray, surrounded by the phrase “Fur Arbeit Zum Schutze Deutschlands” (For Work in the Defence of Germany). The reverse is plain. The decoration was awarded to approximately 800,000 recipients between 1939 and its reissue in 1944. The absence of the accompanying ribbon does not affect the core design and authenticity of the medal. This item is suitable for collectors interested in World War II German military awards and decorations.