L.condor Cross "al Merito En Campagna"

[Francisco V.]

Gracias, Gregorio! I have not focused on Spanish awards, and this came into my auction this month, and I needed to make sure it was original.

Yes, the cross (formally called Cruz de Guerra) is original but made I'd say in the 70's. The engraving is modern to disguise it as SCW era.
The green verdigris in the front is caused by the acid used to age it artificially.

Regards
Fran

[Craig Gottlieb]

So that's interesting ... some people are saying "pre 1940" some "post 1940" and others "1970s."

[Francisco V.]

You can consider it as post 1940 if you want.
I have seen bunches of these late cheap crosses engraved with different names and dates.
Only Egaña made crosses can be considered as SCW period.
Later in WW2, at least three different german makers made replacements for LC veterans.
Hope this helps.

Regards from Spain

Fran

[Craig Gottlieb]

It does, I just need to know whether this can go in my auction as a pre 1945 piece or not.

[Gregorio Torres]

Sorry Craig. These crosses are not my main focus of interest. Probably Francisco have more information than me about this crosses, though I ´m not with him completly when saying that only Egaña was the maker for this crosses during the Spanish Civil War. A lot of people was saying this, for both Cruz de Guerra and Red Crosses, and for both periods, Civil War and WWII (Blue Div), but you can be sure now that some other makers made their crosses during those years. Any case, the main part of the men in the Legion Condor were awarded with crosses made by Egaña.

[Craig Gottlieb]

So can someone read through these posts and tell me if this is real, fake, or "mixed opinions?" I want to be able to represent it correctly in the auction.

[Gregorio Torres]

The cross is an original one from the Franco´s period (1939-1975). Only the date when it was made in this period and if the engraving is authentic or not are on discusion. Sorry I can´t help you any more.

[Rich G]

You can consider it as post 1940 if you want.
I have seen bunches of these late cheap crosses engraved with different names and dates.
Only Egaña made crosses can be considered as SCW period.
Later in WW2, at least three different german makers made replacements for LC veterans.
Hope this helps.

Regards from Spain

Fran

I would agree with Fran. This style is from 1942 onwards and therefore could not have been awarded to a Legion Condor soldier.

The question is what period after 1942 and I would think that given the relatively low quality that it is more towards the 70's.

The early types I believe have two types...the berries with enamel (or paint - not sure which) and that with a kind of enamel finish to the wreath that built up between the leaves to leave a red effect.

The first type mentioned, losses the red enamel very easily as it is quite fragile.

Rich

[Craig Gottlieb]

Wow, that early type is AMAZING - what a beautiful award. The only way "my" example (the one in the auction) could have original engraving was if it was used as a replacement by a German soldier. I will not speculate, but will instead use the information in this thread to advertise it in the auction honestly and correctly, and will NOT warranty the engraving as original. I hope that is above board.

[jonathancol]

Are either of these early examples?

Thanks in advance.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=Al+merito

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ight=Al+merito

[Scott C.]

It depends on your definition of "early". As Gregorio mentioned above, the Franco period spanned 1939-1975. Personally, I believe the one without the two side hooks is the earlier of the two - it also appears to be of higher quality. Again, my opinion only.

[Gregorio Torres]

As Scott said, the second one is considered the most desiderable for collectors, because this model, made by Egaña, is the one more usually seen in period pictures of LC and BD.

[jonathancol]

Thank you!