Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross (Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1939 mit Schwertern). The Knights Cross to the War Merit Cross was introduced on 19 August 1940. The Knight Cross to the War Merit Cross was presented to those who already held the previous two grades, the war merit cross 2nd & 1st class. All recommendations were forwarded through the OKW or the Reichsminister to Hitler, who personally reviewed and approved/denied candidates. Approximately a total of 118 awards of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords, and 137 awards without swords were awarded. The Knights Cross was worn at the neck, exactly like the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross. This is an early cross made of silver. The cross is nicely maker marked with number '1' indicating production by the company of 'Deschler & Sohn' from München, the cross is '900' silver marked. The cross comes on it's original 49cms long sized ribbon. Rare original Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross in stunning condition!