The paint on the exterior is also very well preserved with scratches and marks from age and wear
He began his career in the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) before the First World War
He was later named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and it was during his time with the 1st Infantry Brigade Staff
and pasted in place to a very thick cardboard backer
HERMELING" and marked "990" (silver) on the reverse
Germany, Third Reich. An Order Of The German Eagle, Silver Medal Of Merit With Swords, By The Vienna Mint United Republic of The paint on the exterior(Orden vom Deutschen Adler, Silberne Verdienstmedaille mit Schwertern). Instituted 1 May 1937. Constructed of silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with horizontal pinback, the obverse bearing a raised Maltese Cross, with its quadrants joined by NSDAP style German national eagles clutching wreathed mobile swastika, the twelve oclock position bearing crossed swords, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of DEUTSCHE VERDIENST