War Merit Medal 1939 (Kriegsverdienstmedaille) + Pouch – Gottlieb & Wagner, Pforzheim
A very attractive and complete German WWII War Merit Medal 1939 (Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939), retaining its original factory ribbon and accompanied by its original period issue packet from Gottlieb & Wagner, Pforzheim.
Instituted on 19 August 1940, the War Merit Medal was awarded to civilians and military personnel for meritorious service in support of the German war effort that did not meet the criteria for the War Merit Cross. Recipients included factory workers, railway personnel, civil servants, medical staff, and others whose contributions were considered valuable to the war economy and home front.
The bronze-toned medal features the War Merit Cross with a central swastika on the obverse, while the reverse bears the inscription “Für Kriegsverdienst 1939” (“For War Merit 1939”). The medal is complete with its original triangular ribbon in the national colors, showing bright, unfaded colors and remaining in excellent condition.
Included is the original issue packet, printed “Kriegs-Verdienstmedaille 1939”, with the reverse carrying the retailer’s imprint “Gottl. Fr. Keck & Söhne, Pforzheim.” Original packets accompanying the medal significantly enhance collector interest and are becoming increasingly difficult to find as complete sets.
The medal retains an attractive original bronze finish with sharp details throughout, while the packet displays honest age-related wear, consistent with wartime storage and handling.
A desirable complete set representing one of Germany’s principal wartime service awards, ideal for collectors of German decorations, civilian awards, or complete award groupings.
Condition: Excellent original condition. The medal retains a pleasing original bronze finish with crisp detail and an original full-length ribbon showing only minor age-related wear. The accompanying issue packet remains structurally sound with clear printing and expected storage wear from age.
€45,00
In stock
In stock
Details
| Conflict | World War II |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany (Third Reich) |
Statement
Wolfgang Historica is a trusted seller with years of experience and consistently positive reviews. We are always interested in purchasing collections or unique objects and also offer a professional consignment service. Buy with confidence.
Historical Description
The Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939 (War Merit Medal) was instituted on 19 August 1940 by Adolf Hitler as part of the War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) award system. It served as the entry-level decoration within the War Merit series and was created to recognize individuals who rendered valuable services in support of Germany’s wartime effort but whose contributions did not warrant the higher classes of the War Merit Cross.
Unlike combat decorations, the War Merit Medal primarily recognized non-combat achievements. It was awarded to both civilian and military personnel who made significant contributions to the functioning of the German war economy, administration, logistics, transportation, communications, medical services, agriculture, civil defense, and industrial production.
Recipients included factory workers who exceeded production quotas, railway employees responsible for military transport, postal and communications personnel, civil servants, engineers, technicians, nurses, Red Cross workers, municipal officials, and many others whose daily work contributed to the overall war effort. Military personnel serving in administrative, logistical, or support roles could also receive the medal for particularly meritorious service.
The medal is struck in bronze-toned metal and features the War Merit Cross with a central swastika on the obverse. The reverse bears the inscription:
“Für Kriegsverdienst 1939”
(“For War Merit 1939”)
The ribbon follows the distinctive colors of the War Merit award series, consisting of red outer stripes, white stripes, black fields, and a narrow central red stripe, making it easily distinguishable from the ribbon of the Iron Cross.
Although often overshadowed by more prestigious military decorations, the War Merit Medal was one of the most widely awarded decorations of the Second World War. It represents the recognition of the immense civilian and logistical infrastructure that supported Germany’s wartime operations. Today, complete examples accompanied by their original issue packets are increasingly sought after by collectors, particularly when preserved together as issued.
