War Merit 1st Class Opinions please

[hcliffe]

Front

[hcliffe]

Back

[George Stimson]

Is the hinge assembly part of the cross, or is it a separate, attached piece?

[hcliffe]

The hinge and catch are separate from the cross itself.

[hcliffe]

Come on guys, need your help on this one please.

[Frank Heukemes]

Are you SURE the hinge and catch are seperate and not cast with the badge´s body as George suggests? Do you hold this cross or just look at these pics as we do?
I am asking because it SHOULD be the case that the hinge and catch are cast with the body and it certainly looks like that from the pics. That would make it a late war cross by Steinhauer & Lück, often marked "4" on the pin.

Cheers, Frank

[Pascal H.]

Here is an example of a late Steinhauer & Lück, the one Frank is referring to.

Cheers,
Pascal

[George Stimson]

And here's an earlier one.

[hcliffe]

Frank, you are correct. No, I'm not sure. Only going by the pics and what the seller has told me. I assumed they were cast with the badge until George asked. I then asked the seller who says they are applied separately. Will know for sure when I receive the badge in a few days.

What is the significance of each? Cast with the badge is late war, applied separately is early war?

My main concern of course is that this is an authentic badge.

[hcliffe]

To add; I must have a lot to learn on these because the hinge/catch on the one posted by George looks cast in and the same as the one posted by Pascal to me.

[George Stimson]

Well, if you want to learn you've come to the right place. That's what we're all doing here. Welcome!