Heer German Cross in Gold – Type 3

Product Description: This is an impressive example of the cloth version of the Heer German Cross in Gold, with a striking look. This is a type that is referred to by collectors as Type 3. The backing fabric is wool, in a light field gray shade used by the Heer and Waffen-SS. The hand-done embroidery is all intact and perfect. The wreath of laurel leaves is made of Tombak, a brass alloy, and has the typical die flaw on the date. There is slight age toning to the white fabric roundel behind the embroidered swastika. The reverse of this Heer German Cross in Gold retains the original dark-colored paper backing, with some small losses to the edges. There is an original white paper postage stamp type label, ink stamped “C.A. Westmann, Dresden.” The edges of this cross are crisp, with no stitch holes or any other indication that this was ever worn or used. It remains in near mint condition.

Historical Description: The German Cross in Gold was instituted on September 28^th, 1941.  The German High Command saw it necessary to create an award which would bridge the gap between the Iron Cross First Class and the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  Once instituted, the German Cross became Germany’s second highest military decoration, second only to the Knights Cross and its subsequent grades.  The German Cross was similar to the Knights Cross in regards that the award was not based off of any previous awards in German history.  It was a unique creation which also ended with the war.  There were approximately 26,000 recipients of the German Cross in Gold.  This number, however, does not reflect the total amount of German Crosses produced.  

The German Cross was actually not a cross at all, it took on the form of an eight-point star resembling some of the former breast awards of the Imperial era.  The award came in two forms, a metal version and a cloth version.  The metal version being the most complex of the two, it consisted of five separate pieces being fitted and held together using four to twelve rivets depending on who the manufacturer was. The cloth version follows the exact same design as the metal produced version except the entire cross is cloth with the exception of the laurel wreath still being metal.    

Known Manufacturers:  

Deschler & Sohn, Munchen 

C.E. Juncker, Berlin 

C.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim 

Gebruder Godet, Berlin 

Otto Klein, Hanau 

We are the leading team of military antique specialists. We have specialized in military antiques for over 25 years.

Epic Artifacts offers free evaluations and the highest prices available for your collectibles.

We purchase single items, entire collections, or family estates.

Click the link here to learn more: Free Evaluation or Inquiries 

or feel free to email us directly: info@epicartifacts.com