German Eagle Order, Grand Cross (with ring)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 02.GTR.0101.105.01.000
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A fine quality early type Deschler & Sohn manufacture “Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler/Order of the German Eagle” Grand Cross; of multi-piece construction; thick Maltese cross in silver and well preserved white enamels; with four national eagles (“Hoheitszeichen”) with a wreath containing a mobile swastika in its talons between all four arms of the cross; on loop for suspension; unmarked, but displaying textbook characteristics of early “Deschler & Sohn, München 9” manufacture; measuring 50.81 mm x 50.34 mm; weighing 36.6 grams. It is suspended from its full size period original sash ribbon, constructed of ribbed thin stripes of white-black-white on both sides of the sash with a thick blood-red stripe in the center; with a bow-tie sewn to the sash with red threads with a partially hidden metal clasp for the suspension of the award; overall, the award depicts some contact marks from wear with a very minor chip in the enamels on the bottom-right arm on the reverse; overall near extremely fine condition. Footnote: It is assumed that the order as well as the medal was manufactured by Deschler & Sohn in Munich) or Wilhelm Deumer in Luedenscheid). It is assumed that a slight design changed occurred at or before April 20, 1939, with the change to its final manufacturer, Godet in Berlin).
The Order was instituted by Adolf Hitler on May 1, 1937, as an honorary award conferred upon notable foreigners, particularly diplomats, who were considered sympathetic to the Nazi Regime and its ideals. However, in later years several German citizens were among the ones being awarded the Order.
There were official amendments made to the Order laws on April 10, 1939, and December 27, 1943. In the 1939 amendment, swords were added as a possible award attribute for military personnel. In 1943, the Order was expanded from six classes to nine classes. The names were changed as well, which often results in a certain level of confusion among those unfamiliar with the Order. Between 1937 and 1943, the Order was awarded in different grades, while this was changed to classes in 1943.
The suspension attachments of the Order also changed over time. From 1937 to 1939, the awards were attached to the suspension by a ring, and from 1939 to 1945, the awards were attached to the suspension by a fan. Since these were only introduced in 1939, all awards with swords feature the fan suspenders.
Citizens from countries that did not confer orders upon Germans did not receive the German Eagle Order. These were, for example, USSR, Poland, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, and Norway.
As a rough guideline, certain ranks were expected to receive certain medal grades: Ministers, Ambassadors and commanding Generals often received the Grand Cross, General Lieutenants often received the Merit Cross with Star, Colonels often received the Merit Cross I Class, Majors often received the Merit Cross II class, Captains often received the Merit Cross III Class, and non-Officers often received the Merit Medal. However, this guideline was eventually changed.
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