Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.Klasse mit Schwertern

[Frazer]

Fresh from the postie, my first Merit Cross with Swords!
Hope it's ok so I'd appreciate your opinions, but also found what look like two marks on the ring and would hopefully like to know if these are makers marks?



You help/info would be very much appreciated
Thanx

[harryamb2]

it's good but can't see he marks.

[MAP]

IMHO those are not lightly stamped maker marks. Just tooling I would think. Probably when putting the ring on the medal.

[Glenn66]

Appears legit, the 'fat' 1939 is distinctive and quite unlike my mintier KVKs but does bare some similarity to my unmarked (allegedly Stalingrad found) example...

[Stewy S]

IMHO those are not lightly stamped maker marks. Just tooling I would think. Probably when putting the ring on the medal.

Agreed definitely not maker marks. Stewy

[Frazer]

Thanks guys

[MAP]

Appears legit, the 'fat' 1939 is distinctive and quite unlike my mintier KVKs but does bare some similarity to my unmarked (allegedly Stalingrad found) example...

Always wondered about these relic items. I can see a relic wound badge, EK1, IAB, PAB, GAB and such. But why KvK's and EK2's which were not worn on the combat uniform? Just a question I've always had....

Unless they were in the personal possesion at the time, or in the barracks/camp and tossed while retreating.

Maybe I'm just thick and missing the obvious.

[Glenn66]

A good question. I can only assume that as not all personnel in the Kessel were combat troops that non combat-related awards could and should be expected to be found. Certainly I have a NSDAP party badge excavated, bought and posted from modern-day Volgograd as was my KVK award posted above.

[MAP]

A good question. I can only assume that as not all personnel in the Kessel were combat troops that non combat-related awards could and should be expected to be found. Certainly I have a NSDAP party badge excavated, bought and posted from modern-day Volgograd as was my KVK award posted above.

I could definately see civilians or party members throwing away non combatant items to "hide" their involvement. "Who me? A Party member? Sorry, got me confused with someone else..."

And even soldiers as well. We've all heard the stories of soldiers removing SS insignia, changing uniforms, throwing away helmets...etc.

Just a niggle in my brain and not really worthy of further consideration as there is clear evidence that it did happen. But I just find it odd. I would expect to find these items closer to a barracks or home and away from a front line combat zone..but the possibilities are endless.