The German Order - 2nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.

The German Order - 2^nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Instituted on 11^th February 1942.

Rarity – Extremely Rare.

Known Makers – Wilhelm Deumer.

This, likewise, is identical to that described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1st Class with the laurel wreath and swords removed and an eyelet replacing them.  Through this is attached a set of oak leaves and swords as employed on the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  The cluster is produced from bronze that is fire gilded.  Its measurements are 22 mm by 21 mm with a thickness of 1 mm.  The swords' measurements are 24 mm by 2 mm with their handles and blades being cut through, the reverse being flat.  The oak leaves are semi dished with the 'paperclip' attachment neatly soldered to the reverse and the tips are gently rounded.  The whole is gilded with a matt texture.

The only recipient of this award was Konstantin Hierl. The document that accompanied the award was contained in a cassette similar to that used for the oak leaves of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  It was a leather cassette that measured 445 mm by 380 mm and was 40 mm thick.  It had a gold national eagle on the front that measured 125 mm by 165 mm.  This was fire gilded and it also had a border in gold.  The award document that was contained inside was reminiscent to that of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and measured 420 mm high by 340 mm wide, with the text finished in gold.  This was fire gold on parchment and had an elaborate border.  The top of the citation has an eagle and swastika and beneath the words, 'IM NAMEN, DES DEUTSCHEN VOLKES, VERLEIHEICH, DEM REICHSLEITER, KONSTANTIN HIERL, IN WURDIGUNG, SEINER VERDIENSTE, UM PARTEI UND REICH, DAS GOLDENE KREUZ, DES DEUTSCHEN ORDENS MIT, EICHENLAUB U, SCHWERTERN, FÜHRERHAUPTQUARTIER, DEN 24. FEBRUAR 1945, DER FÜHRER'.  and a penned signature of Adolf Hitler.  The case for the award is unknown but can be presumed to be the same as that described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1^st Class.

Fake of the German Order - 2^nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.