Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive Five of the buttons have

Five of the buttons have remained intact

but also high-explosive shells

EAST TAIERI RIFLE VOLS)

later reverting to Lieutenant before leaving for the French theatre

L/54 - magnetic core

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, I Class, By Steinhauer & Lück Auction Archive Five of the buttons have(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered zink, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms, with a central mobile swastika inside of an oak leaf wreath, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round wire catch, marked with code 4 for maker Steinhauer & Lck, Ldenscheid, measuring 49. 57 mm (w) x 49. 22 mm (h), weighing 15. 2 grams, a later war example in very fine condition.