Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1.Klasse mit Schwerter (L/66)

[MichaelFalk]

I would like to introduce you to this 1st class war merit cross with swords. The manufacturer's mark is L / 66 for the manufacturer A.D. Schwerdt / Stuttgart. However, the design corresponds to the Gablonzer design and is 100% identical to the war merit crosses by Rudolf Tham / Gablonz. It is probably quite rare ...

[rbminis]

I will have to do a little digging as my sources tell me that neither of those makers were a maker of KVK 1st class.
Maybe Michael, MAP, or some of our other KVK collectors will have some input.
Ralph.

[MAP]

My materials do not reference either of them as well.

The L/66 strike looks a little suspect to me, looking bright and clean with no patina like the rest of the reverse...but that is just an opinion.

[MichaelFalk]

The back is polished silver and with a very smooth surface. The scan is misleading. There are also infantry assault badges with this L / 66 mark.

[rbminis]

There are also infantry assault badges with this L / 66 mark.

There were also HJ Leistungsabzeichen made by this maker,
HJ Leistungsabzeichen in Silber, Early example, AD Schwerdt.
That doesn't mean that they were a manufacturer of every type of award.
Ralph.

[MichaelFalk]

I do not assume that A.D. Schwerdt produced these KVKs themselves. I think it was made in Gablonz and A.D. Schwerdt delivered it under his name.

[MAP]

I have check a number of forums and have found no examples.

What maker from Gablonz do you think this is from?

[rbminis]

However, the design corresponds to the Gablonzer design and is 100% identical to the war merit crosses by Rudolf Tham / Gablonz.

From what I can find, Rudolf Tham was not a maker of KVK 1st klasse either.
Ralph.

[MichaelFalk]

The manufacturer could have been Rudolf Tham / Gablonz. At least the design matches the 2nd class war merit crosses with swords.

[BMB]

Hello guys!
As you write Michael, this cross is identical to Rudolf Tham / Gablonz ”101” KVK2 crosses, attaches pictures on my 101 KVK2 to compare with.

I also have no information that any of these two would be manufacturers of KVK1, but of course they can still be.

I also think that the L/66 mark looks a little suspect, but it can be the scan that is misleading as you type, but also think that a ”Rudolf Tham” cross is marked L/66 is a bit strange.

Can you measure the thickness of the center of the cross and weigh it?

Best regards
Martin