Cased War Merit Cross 1st Class without Swords (Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse ohne Schwerter). The 'Kriegsverdienstkreuz' is instituted on 18 October 1939. The basic criteria for award centered about bravery and service (not in connection with combat). The cross is a nice tombak (Buntmetall) example, complete with its functional pin & catch. The cross is nicely maker marked with number '4' indicating production by the company of 'Steinhauer & Lück' from Lüdenscheid. The cross comes in its original unfortunately heavily damaged black coloured case having a neat silver-coloured 'KvK'-logo imprinted on the top, the damaged case is included for free. The cross itself is in very good condition with polished highlights, nice cross!