Order Of The German Eagle Medal Of Merit?!?

[TobyR]

Hello Everybody!

I've been offered the above medal, silver without swords. However, in a world such as ours, where fakes abound, I'm naturally suspicious from the offset. As such, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me whether this is the real deal or otherwise.

I just don't know what to make of it. I suppose my main reason for hesitating is to do with the quality of the swastikas within the wreaths. They are badly formed to say the least. Is this normal? They don't look too much better on the one illustrated in Forman.

Thanks for any help.
Toby.

[TobyR]

and the reverse:

[mott5ranch]

I don't know if this one is good or not. It looks like it is to me. The metal appears to be 50 or 60 years old and worn. The detail remaining on the eagles makes me think it's ok. The one I have is in similiar condition. I'm at work now or I would post a picture of mine.

[TobyR]

Mott...,

If you can send me some photos when you're back at home I'd be grateful.

Tell me, are the swastikas slightly out of symmetry on yours too?

Is this a widely reproduced award?

Thanks,
Toby.

[keifer kahn]

Hi toby,
Can i suggest with photos that you try to take a more "face on "approach.Rather than photographing from the bottom up.You cant see the jump ring that good.

The swastikas look normal for this type.The jump ring sits on a stalk or "riser",i think i can see this in the snaps.Thats normal.

The medal should be 38mm diameter.




Looks ok to me.

regards keifer

[Brian S]

I have a real one on my web site that came from Detlev. It's not the same script, but genuine!!!



Home page go to German Eagle Order

[Brian S]

Please note we are talking about the MERIT order coming from Detlev as that's the subject here on the thread. The first item you will encounter is a 1st CLASS order which Detlev has seen and approves of.

I pointed you to my site to view a merit order with GOOD detail, not those 'shot in the fog' pictures we all so often encounter.

[W. C. Stump]

MEDALS OF MERIT

The 1937 Medal of Merit was in silver, had Gothic script, and had a red field ribbon. The rim was maarked "835 PR. MUNZE BERLIN".

In 1939 The medal came with and without swords, in 835 fine silver and retained the red field ribbon. SOME WERE MARKED "MUNZAMT WIEN 835".

In the 1943 version, the medals came in both bronze and silver and the bronze medal has a red field ribbon with a white center stripe. The scrpt was changed to Latin. NO RIM MARKING, BUT RING MARKED "30".

[Brian S]

Mine comes from Detlev, no '30' on ring. It has only half of the '30', that clears up that mystery. Thanks Bill, I'll post the partial mark in a few minutes.

[Brian S]

The miricle of the scanner... Couldn't make it out with a 10x loop.

Did I remember to say "THANKS BILL", that helped!

[mott5ranch]

Toby here is a picture of mine. It is a bronze version not the silver like yours but you can see it the similiarities just the same. The script is different on the reverse but like mentioned above different fonts were used.

[mott5ranch]

A closer look.

[mott5ranch]

The backside with the different font from yours.

[Brian S]

And now I'd say this thread will forever serve as the source for these medals. Good job.