Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, by Karl Gschiermeister Hold entitled "American British & Continental

entitled "American British & Continental Pepperbox Firearms" by Jack Dunlap

the collar edged top and bottom with ½ inch lace and a tracing of black braid inside for Lieutenants

narrowing to 36 mm at the back

Hitler became the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and retained that position until his suicide on April 30

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, by Karl Gschiermeister Hold entitled "American British & Continental(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a raised barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 50 for Karl Gschiermeister, Vienna, measuring 48. 56 mm (w) x 48. 13 mm (h), weighing 14. 6 grams, demonstrating minor loss of silver finish