Germany. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords, Cased, By Deschler & Sohn Auction Archive and one Three-Ribbon Ribbon Bars

and one Three-Ribbon Ribbon Bars

Originally the order had only one class and all Russian veterans of the First World War were entitled to receive it

held in place by rings on the underside and visible on the inside of the tunic

He was a personal friend of the famous composer Richard Wagner

Vavrin contracted mononucleosis while in El Paso and dropped out of school long enough to lose his credits for the year

Germany. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords, Cased, By Deschler & Sohn Auction Archive and one Three-Ribbon Ribbon Bars(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern im Etui). A Maltese cross in silvered tombak with crossed swords between the arms of the cross; the obverse with a circular raised border of oak leaves on the obverse with a raised mobile swastika in the center; the reverse with a vertical banjo style pinback and a functional hinge catch assembly marked 1 for Deschler & Sohn; measuring 48. 45 mm (w) x 48. 48 mm (h); weighing 22. 9 grams. Accompanied by