July 28, 20241 yr Author #26 A strange wear pattern on the reverse... War Merit Medal for sale from Paul Hogle at Lakeside Trader in Canada... Source: https://www.lakesidetrader.com/item.php?ID=35574
July 28, 20241 yr #27 It looks like it has been worn with the French pins attachment. I suppose it might also been safety pined to the uniform.
August 8, 20241 yr Author #28 A 1957 version of the KVM from a good reference: Source: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/kriegsverdienstkreuz-forum/das-kriegsverdienstkreuz-des-jahres-1939-a-253716/
December 16, 20241 yr Author #29 Source: https://www.militariazone.com/general-other/war-merit-medal-maker-marked-60-/itm37369 Source: https://aboutww2militaria.com/war-merit-medal-60-katz-deyhle.html Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/186177188912
December 16, 20241 yr Author #31 I do. This was my first, from my uncle, about 40 years ago. My Great Uncle William ("Bill") was a member of the Home Guard in Luton, England during the Second World War. He is in the bottom photograph, second from the right (the only male in the picture!), which was made on 12 August 1945.
December 17, 20241 yr Author #32 Source: https://gmic.co.uk/topic/79446-combat-ekii1914-and-non-combat-hindenburg-cross/#comment-710238
December 17, 20241 yr #33 Here's a quick question, I haven't bought German militaria in years. Prices and fakes were primary reason why I don't anymore. I recently saw a little display of a No swords War Merit Cross with ribbon, presentation envelope and award document in a case at an antique store for $65 USD. It seemed reasonable but also on the high end at least for what I used to buy. Thoughts?
December 17, 20241 yr Author #34 That's not an outrageous, unreasonable price these days. Here's a few resources to help. These are reliable sources who won't "burn" you. I can guarantee you, for what that's worth. https://www.lakesidetrader.com/German/WWII/Awards-and-Medals/War-Merit/ http://www.germandocuments.com/Medals_and_Pins.html
December 17, 20241 yr #35 1 hour ago, S.ChrisKelly said: That's not an outrageous, unreasonable price these days. Here's a few resources to help. These are reliable sources who won't "burn" you. I can guarantee you, for what that's worth. https://www.lakesidetrader.com/German/WWII/Awards-and-Medals/War-Merit/ http://www.germandocuments.com/Medals_and_Pins.html The one source you provided is selling them for $35 which seems very fair
December 17, 20241 yr Author #36 That seller ships from U.S.A., and the advertised price does not include shipping. Charges only actual shipping costs, and does not try to make extra profits by gouging buyers with excessive "shipping and handling" fees/surcharges/etc. Those are original items, and actually... under-priced.
January 13, 20251 yr Author #37 A War Merit Medal/Commemorative Medal of 1 October 1938 ("Sudetenland Medal") ribbon bar to a veteran of the First World War, likely an NSDAP or SDP functionary. Source: https://www.germanmilitaria.com/Heer/photos/H003687.html
January 14, 20251 yr Author #38 A War Merit Medal & "Luftschutz" Medal ribbon bar, a common civilian combination. Source: https://www.dracomedals.com/germany/nazi-germany-3rd-reich/nazi-germany-ww2-war-merit-1939-air-defense-meritorious-service-medal-1938-ribbon-bar-german-decoration-1945.html
January 31, 20251 yr Author #39 Earlier I discussed metallurgy. See the differences in these Luftschutz medals. The first two images are pre-war types, in cupal. Image number seven is detail from: Reich Gazette No. 8, 30 January 1938, page 95, (Deutsch: Reichs gesetzblatt Nr. 8 vom 30. Januar 1938 Seite 95). "Leichtmetall" is an obvious reference to cupal. "Oxydiertes" means oxidized, which is likely a reference to metal plating. Images 3, 4, 5 & 6 show war-time zinc issues. Sources: https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/gettysburg-battle/world-war-ii-militaria/original-wwii-german-civil-air-defence-honor-decoration-2nd-class-1938-luftschutz-ehrenzeichen-certified-5/ https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/gettysburg-battle/world-war-ii-militaria/original-wwii-german-civil-air-defence-honor-decoration-2nd-class-1938-luftschutz-ehrenzeichen-certified-2/ https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/gettysburg-battle/world-war-ii-militaria/original-wwii-german-civil-air-defence-honor-decoration-2nd-class-1938-luftschutz-ehrenzeichen-certified-3/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luftschutz-Ehrenzeichen_(Air_Defense_Medal).png
February 2, 20251 yr #40 Excellent information Chris. I have often wondered about the original finish on these Luftschutz awards. These go by so many different names and even "oxydiertes Leichtmetall" seems to not tell me much. Is this what Americans generically call "pot metal" as a mixture of different metals? I have seen some of these Luftschutz awards with a blackened finish as well as a bare metal. These part zinc awards age differently but I always assumed the black finish was postwar collector enhanced. I suppose that is all due to the specific metal content and time and temperature? Am I thinking correctly?
February 4, 20251 yr Author #41 In earlier posts, I wrote about metallurgy. This is vitally important. A simple understanding of what looks complex goes a long way. I've never seen precise formulae for the alloys used in any of the German awards, but I know they're different than what was and is generally used in the U.S.A. In my experience of nearly half a century, the KVKs in particular, the solid material (tombak, mostly) early issue awards always sold first and fastest compared to the later zinc awards. No collector wanted to pay top prices for something which would somehow, magically, corrode/oxidize on its own and ultimately disintegrate in spite of the best preservation efforts. The most extreme examples which come to mind include all the Luftwaffe flight badges and the numbered general assault and tank badges. Strangely, I've found the Luftschutz medal scarce, if not rare. Like the KVK, the early ones are likely cupal, or even tombak, with what I think is an aluminum plating. They're often described as "lightweight". Likely, zinc becomes more prevalent from mid - 1941 until the end of the war for the Volkspflege and Luftschutz medals, as well as the KVK. I think the blackened or dark dull finish is generally oxidation rather than "enhancement". I think you're correct. These are all generic terms which mean the same; "buntmetall", "leichtmetall", "pot metal", "monkey metal", "junk metal", et cetera... I've even heard "kriegsmetall". In post 39, I think the first image shows what the original plating looks like, and the copper color is where the plating's worn off and the tombak, or copper (in the case of cupal - more likely) shows through. Dark colored metal, especially iron, copper, steel and zinc, looks dark due to corrosion, however light it may be. Tarnish on silver is a form of corrosion. The black finish means the plating is gone. A good example is the 1943 "steelie" U.S.A. wheat cent, made of steel with a bright chrome looking plating of pure zinc. Once the plating is gone, they look like dull lead. I've even seen them completely eaten up with rust. You're absolutely correct about time, tempetature and exposure. I think zinc pest is more a reaction to both alloy and the material used in plating, and the catalyst can be simple chemical reactions between elements, initiated by and/or accelerated/exacerbated by time and ambient conditions. I once had a Tank Assault Badge in silver manufactured by Hermann Aurich. Beautiful, pristine condition, plating completely intact, stored in an airtite container. It took thirty years for the first spot of zinc pest to appear... On the reverse right on the hallmark! Not long after, the whole badge looked more like dull lead than bright chrome. Depressing. Disappointing. Frustrating. Are you thinking correctly? Absolutely, positively yes.
February 5, 20251 yr Author #42 Not to digress, but these are outstanding inages of the wartime issue Luftschutz medal in zinc, commonly referred to as the "heavy version". Source: https://www.militariasales.com/product/german-1938-luftschutz-air-raid-defense-medal-heavy-version/
February 5, 20251 yr #43 Thank you for your well done answer to my question. I don't feel like a dummy now. And, thank you for the black Luftschutz medal pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words.
February 8, 20251 yr Author #45 A rarely seen stickpin for the Luftschutzmedaille, this one in tombak:
February 8, 20251 yr Author #46 For SARGE... I started this topic as a study of the 1939 Kriegsverdienstmedaille, which is, still today, likely one of the most widely available and least expensive of the Third Reich awards still out there for collectors and enthusiasts. You have successfully distracted me from the subject at hand. I have greatly enjoyed researching the Luftschutz awards and insignia, as well as learning about the organization itself. It's one of the earliest of the Third Reich organizations, and it survived until the last day of the Second World War. Like the KVM, the Luftschutz medals are primarily civilian awards, not widely reproduced and not in great demand. I was shocked at how expensive the Luftschutz material is, especially badges and insignia for uniformed (presumably full-time personnel). Ironically, the stuff isn't rare, and it's not in high demand, apparently. I just wish it were less expensive or I had more disposable income. Like the KVM, there is not much out there in the way of scholarly research and collectors' guides for any and all of the Luftschutz items. I found it a truly fascinating subject. Got a few more images which might help. Images 3 and 4 show a zinc medal, the "heavy" type. Sources: https://griffinmilitaria.com/product/luftschutz-civil-air-defense-decoration-first-class/ https://griffinmilitaria.com/product/boxed-luftschutz-honor-decoration-2nd-class/ https://www.germanmilitaria.com/Luftwaffe/photos/L000787.html
February 9, 20251 yr Author #48 Here are some comparative images. The Luftschutzmedaille is the early, lightweight type. Almost feels like solid aluminum, like it was made from a soft drink can. The Volkspflegemedaille is the early solid tombak type.
February 9, 20251 yr #49 Sorry I distracted you but... I really enjoyed the treatise on the Luftschutz awards. It answered a lot of questions for me.
February 10, 20251 yr Author #50 For SARGE: I enjoyed every minute of that "distraction". In fact, I picked up some Luftschutz items myself, and have started researching and studying the Luftschutz and its functions. I loved the artwork in the Luftschutz posters. Only wish I had the disposable income to pick up one of those "gladiator" helmets (one in my size!). Here's a good source, and a cool website for further information: https://germanhelmetvault.com/luftschutz/
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