Order of the German Eagle

The Order of the German Eagle was established in May 1937. It was intended to supply a diplomatic order for award to foreign nationals. The Order of the German Eagle consisted of 5 classes and a silver medal of merit. A unique Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds was awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25 September 1937. In 1939, slight modifications were made to the design, swords could be added to each award for military merit, the award was approved for German nationals, and a special award of the Grand Cross in Gold was authorized. In 1943, the Order was reorganized into 7 classes with both a silver and a bronze medal of merit. Three manufacturers are known to have produced the awards while two produced the merit medals. Each manufacturer can be identified by the eagles mounted between the arms of the cross. Deschler & Sohn produced awards marked "900" and "Silber". Gebruder Godet & Co. marked their production with "900" until 1943 and "900" "21" afterwards. C.F. Zimmerman produced awards marked "900" or unmarked. Merit medals are marked either "835 Pr. Munze Berlin" or "835 Pr. Munze Wien". If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact [email protected].

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Grand Cross of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds


Type 1 Eagle Deschler & Sohn	Type 2 Eagle Deschler & Sohn	Type 2 Eagle Gebruder Godet & Co	Type 2 Eagle C.F. Zimmerman	Grand Cross Star in Gold with Diamonds 1937 Star - 91mm

Levels of Award established in 1937/39

Grand Cross with Star - 8 pointed Breast Star and Sash
Order with Star - 6 pointed Breast Star with Neck Cross
1st Class Award - Neck Cross
2nd Class Award - Breast Cross
3rd Class Award - Cross on ribbon
Medal of Merit - Silver Medal on Ribbon

Grand Cross of the German Eagle - Sash & 8 pointed StarStar


Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1937-43 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross 1937-39 Cross - 60mm	Grand Cross Star 1937-39 Star - 80mm/1939-43 Star - 91mm
Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1939-43 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross in Gold 1939-43 Cross - 66mm	Grand Cross in Gold Star 1939-43 Star - 91mm
Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1939-43 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 66mm	Grand Cross Star with Swords 1939-43 Star - 91mm

Order of the German Eagle - Neck Cross & 6 pointed Star


Order of the German Eagle Neck Cross 1937-39 Cross - 50mm	Order of the German Eagle Star 1937-43 Star - 75mm
Order of the German Eagle Neck Cross 1939-43 Cross - 50mm	Order of the German Eagle Star 1937-43 Star - 75mm
Order of the German Eagle Neck Cross with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 50mm	Order of the German Eagle Star with Swords 1939-43 Star - 75mm

Order of the German Eagle 1st Class - Neck Cross


1st Class Neck Cross 1937-39 Cross - 50mm	1st Class Neck Cross 1939-43 Cross - 50mm	1st Class Neck Cross with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 50mm

Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class - Breast Cross


2nd Class Breast Cross 1937-43 Cross - 50mm	2nd Class Breast Cross with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 50mm

Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class - Cross on Ribbon


3rd Class Cross 1937-39 Cross - 45mm	3rd Class Cross 1939-43 Cross - 45mm	3rd Class Cross with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 45mm

Order of the German Eagle Medal of Merit - Medal on Ribbon (Gothic Script)


Medal of Merit 1937-43 Medal - 38mm	Medal of Merit with Swords 1939-43 Cross - 38mm

Levels of Award established in 1943

Grand Cross in Gold with Star - 8 pointed Breast Star and Sash
Grand Cross with Star - 8 pointed Breast Star and Sash
1st Class Order with Star - 8 pointed Breast Star and Sash
2nd Class Award with Star - 6 pointed Breast Star with Neck Cross
3rd Class Award - Neck Cross (Marked "3" on fan)
4th Class Award - Breast Cross
5th Class Award - Cross on ribbon (Marked "5" on fan)
Silver Medal of Merit - Silver Medal on Ribbon
Bronze Medal of Merit - Bronze Medal on Ribbon

Grand Cross in Gold & Grand Cross of the German Eagle - Sash & 8 pointed StarStar


Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1943-45 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross 1943-45 Cross - 66mm	Grand Cross in Gold Star 1943-45 Star - 91mm
Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1943-45 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross 1943-45 Cross - 66mm	Grand Cross Star 1943-45 Star - 91mm
Order of the German Eagle Grand Cross Sash 1943-45 Sash - 100mm	Sash Cross with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 66mm	Grand Cross Star with Swords 1943-45 Star - 91mm

1st Class Order of the German Eagle - Sash & 8 pointed StarStar


1st Class Order of the German Eagle Sash 1943-45 Sash - 100mm	1st Class Order Sash Cross 1943-45 Cross - 66mm	1st Class Order Star 1943-45 Star - 91mm
1st Class Order of the German Eagle Sash 1943-45 Sash - 100mm	1st Class Order Sash Cross with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 66mm	1st Class Order Star with Swords 1943-45 Star - 91mm

2nd Class Order of the German Eagle - Neck Cross & 6 pointed Star


2nd Class Neck Cross 1943-45 Cross - 50mm	2nd Class Star 1943-45 Star - 75mm
2nd Class Neck Cross with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 50mm	2nd Class Star with Swords 1943-45 Star - 75mm

3rd Class Order of the German Eagle - Neck Cross - marked "3" on reverse fan


3rd Class Neck Cross 1943-45 Cross - 50mm	3rd Class Neck Cross with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 50mm

4th Class Order of the German Eagle - Breast Cross


4th Class Breast Cross 1943-45 Cross - 50mm	4th Class Breast Cross with Swords 1943-45 Star - 50mm

5th Class Order of the German Eagle - Cross on Ribbon - marked "5" on reverse fan


5th Class Cross 1943-45 Cross - 45mm	5th Class Cross with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 45mm

Order of the German Eagle Silver Medal of Merit - Medal on Ribbon (Gothic Script)


Silver Medal of Merit 1943-45 Medal - 38mm	Silver Medal of Merit with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 38mm

Order of the German Eagle Bronze Medal of Merit - Medal on Ribbon (Gothic Script)


Bronze Medal of Merit 1943-45 Medal - 38mm	Bronze Medal of Merit with Swords 1943-45 Cross - 38mm