Need help with ribbons on two different War Merit Cross w/ Swords

[DritteReich]

I was wondering if anyone could help figure out the difference between two ribbons on two different War Merit Cross awards?

The ribbon of the War Merit Cross was in red-white-black-white-red.

I have one exactly as the above described and then I have one that is red-white-black-thin red line-black-white-red.

I am looking for way to post a picture of both together, but I do not see this option.

Can anyone tell what the difference in the two ribbons is?

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

[George Stimson]

The second ribbon you describe is for the War Merit Medal, the lowest grade of the KVK series.

[DritteReich]

Thanks

So it is the lowest grade of the KVK series...

Do you know the distinction on why this ribbon would be on one cross and different on the other?

1st class or 2nd class cross awarded?

I am trying to figure out if this is the original ribbon or not for this cross.

One cross is bronze with a short red-white-black-white-red ribbon.

The other is silver with a long red-white-black-thin red line-black-white.

How can you post a photo on this forum?

I have a photo of them side by side.

Thanks again.

[Tom Yanacek]

Hello,

It sounds like you have a War Merit Cross Second Class on an incorrect ribbon. The ribbon with the narrow red stripe down the center belongs only on the War Merit Medal, which is the round medal. War Merit Crosses Second Class should always have the ribbon without the narrow red stripe, whether with or without swords. The First Class War Merit Crosses were pinback decorations and had no ribbon at all.
The picture below should help:
(From left to right) 1939 War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords, 1939 War Merit Medal, 1939 War Merit Cross Second Class without Swords.

Best regards,
Tom

[Tom Yanacek]

One cross is bronze with a short red-white-black-white-red ribbon. The other is silver with a long red-white-black-thin red line-black-white.

The bronze cross would be an early-issue piece. The silver one is probably a later-issue piece, made of zinc. Over the years, the zinc ones lose their bronze color wash and appear silvery-gray.

Best regards,
Tom

[DritteReich]

Perfect.

That is exactly what I needed to know and somewhat suspected.

Thanks.