The German Cross in Silver (Deutsches Kreuz) by Otto Klein

Instituted by Hitler on September 28,1941,the War Order of the German Cross recognized additional contributions of both combat and non-combat personnel who had already received the Iron Cross First Class of 1939.The non-combatant German Cross In Silver was aligned closely with the War Merit series of crosses.The German Cross In Silver is an infinitely rarer award than in gold. As a comparison, rounded off, some 30,000 Gold versions were awarded versus just 1,200 Silver,some different sources saying around 2,500 awarded, our information based on Stephen Thomas Previtera- "A History of The Iron Cross (The Iron Time)".Cross is five pieces construction (excluding the heavy hinge/pin/clasp),each layer hid the mechanism for attaching the one above it,measuring 62 to 63mm from point to point star,topped by an identical star which measured 59mm. edge to edge. Next came a Silver frosted disk 41mm. across, with an red enameled border 5.5mm.wide.This red border covered by the Silver wreath with the date"1941" representing the year of institution.The wreath circles a massive black inlaid swastika 30mm. diagonally from top to bottom. No parts are magnetic.On the reverse four hollow domed rivets and "134",maker marked for Otto Klein, Hanau am Mein,weighing 53.3 gr. Two tiny hair cracks on the right arm of the swastika. The earliest examples of the Cross were struck from Tombac, later versions were primarily produced from Cupal. Crosses composed of Tombac are much heavier and at roughly 60 to 70 grams, Crosses made out of Cupal are lighter and range from around roughly 45 to 55 grams, light versions.