Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords – 835

Product Description:  The Spanish Cross in Silver – 835 is a distinguished wartime decoration awarded to German personnel who served in the Spanish Civil War (July 1936 – March 1939). Instituted on 14 April 1939, the Spanienkreuz was created to formally recognize members of the Condor Legion and other German forces who, owing to their semi-official status during the conflict, had previously received no dedicated campaign award. Conceived both as a campaign distinction and as a decoration for merit and bravery, the Spanish Cross occupies a significant place within the hierarchy of early Third Reich awards.

The present Spanish Cross in Silver – 835, with swords denoting combatant service, is of silver grade and marked “835,” attributed to the respected maker Deumer. The decoration conforms to textbook construction and measures approximately 56 mm across, with a weight of 33.3 grams. The surfaces display a pleasing, even patina that enhances the crisp detailing of the central national emblem and crossed swords.

Offered in excellent condition overall, this example demonstrates strong preservation and clarity of strike, reflecting the quality associated with established period manufacturers. A historically resonant decoration, it represents Germany’s involvement in the Spanish conflict and the broader prelude to the Second World War, standing as a notable acquisition for the advanced collector of twentieth-century German militaria.

Historical Description: The Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz) was instituted on April 14, 1939, to recognize the achievements of German personnel who participated in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. It was in the shape of a Maltese cross with a swastika in the center and Luftwaffe eagle emblems in the spaces between the four arms. The pin-backed award was issued in four classes: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold with Diamonds. Bronze and Silver classes were made both with and without swords. Silver and Bronze awards without swords were for non-combatants and was issued to military and civilian personnel with three months of wartime experience in Spain, with the Silver version issued for merit. The Bronze award with swords was for combatants, the Silver award with swords was for soldiers who took part in decisive battles and who had considerable fighting experience, and the Gold award was for great merit. The highest grade. The Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds, was very rarely awarded and reserved for those who showed the greatest merit or who had high leadership skills in battle. There was also a version made for the next of kin of men who had been killed; this was a medal suspended from a ribbon, rather than a pin-on badge. Unlike most German awards, the Spanish Cross was worn on the right side of the uniform.

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