Knight's Cross Guide

This is an identification guide for the makers of the official award version of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross. All crosses are die stamped silver. The original designs for the Cross show the suspension ring and the ribbon loop smooth for the standard version and ribbed for the version with swords, but later production could be in either style.A total of 137 awards were made of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross. An additional 118 awards were made of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords. A version of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross in Gold was approved, but it was never added to the official list of awards because it was introduced so late in the war. The Cross in Gold was presented on paper by Albert Speer to Franz Hahne and Karl-Otto Saur in April 1945.

The accepted makers for this award are Deschler & Sohn, Steinhauer & Lück, and C. F. Zimmermann. The majority of original crosses observed were produced by Deschler & Sohn. They are easy to identify because of die flaws. Early production Crosses without swords have a visible dot on the center stem of the wreath leaf at the 7 o'clock position on the reverse. Early Crosses with swords have a die flaw in the center point of the "3" in the date. Later production of both types exhibit the flaw in the center point of the "3" in the date along with a die crack on the right point of the reverse lower arm. Gold Deschler marked Crosses that are believed to be original are gilded versions of the late production silver Cross. Gold Crosses should be examined closely to determine when the gilding was actually applied. The Cross measures approximately 53mm wide by 58mm tall. The Cross without swords weights just over 34 grams. With swords, the Cross weights just over 43 grams. S&L and Zimmermann examples are rare and there is no firm concensus to determine originality. The Cross details for both makers are very similar. The Cross measures approximately 53.5mm wide by 58.5mm tall. The Cross without swords weights just over 29 grams. With swords, the Cross weights just under 38 grams.

Crosses can be found made of other material and by other makers. They fall under the category of "display medals" or "jeweller's copies". The Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross has been extensively reproduced, so "Caveat emptor"!

To the best of our knowledge, all the examples shown are original pre-1945 manufacture. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact Vern@GermanDaggers.com.

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Deschler & Sohn - early production Marked "1" and "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - early production Marked "1" and "900" - reverse
Deschler & Sohn - late production Marked "1" and "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - late production Marked "1" and "900" - reverse
Deschler & Sohn - early production with Swords Marked "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - early production with Swords Marked "900" - reverse
Deschler & Sohn - late production with Swords Marked "1" and "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - late production with Swords Marked "1" and "900" - reverse
Deschler & Sohn - in Gold Marked "1" and "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - in Gold Marked "1" and "900" - reverse
Deschler & Sohn - in Gold with Swords Marked "1" and "900" - obverse	Deschler & Sohn - in Gold with Swords Marked "1" and "900" - reverse
Steinhauer & Lück - with Swords Marked "4" and "935" - obverse	Steinhauer & Lück - with Swords Marked "4" and "935" - reverse
C. F. Zimmermann Marked "20" and "900" - obverse	C. F. Zimmermann Marked "20" and "900" - reverse
C. F. Zimmermann - with Swords Marked "20" and "900" - obverse	C. F. Zimmermann - with Swords Marked "20" and "900" - reverse