the outer ring in rolled aluminum wire
demonstrating near-total loss of silver finish to the base metal and a small spot of zink pest to the top of the obverse
exhibiting multiple field repairs
enamel chipping at the tip of the arm at 10 o'clock on the obverse
scattered chipping evident in the brown enamels
Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, by Karl Gschiermeister visually-hidden the outer ring in rolled(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 barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, the pinback maker marked with Prsidialkanzlei code 50 for Karl Gschiermeister, Vienna, measuring 48. 68 mm (w) x 48. 34 mm (h), weighing 16. 5 grams, in extremely fine condition.