Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords By Deschler & Sohn certificate_of_authenticity The man on the left

The man on the left is Otto-Heinrich Drechsler

In November 1943 he took command of the SS Panzer Grenadier 6 “Theodor Eicke”

the chape with extensive surface wear on the other side

1895 in Kohler

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords By Deschler & Sohn certificate_of_authenticity The man on the left(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwerten). Presenting as a Maltese cross in silvered tombac, the obverse with crossed swords between the arms of the cross and a circular raised border of oak leaves on the obverse with a raised mobile swastika in the center, the reverse plain with a vertical pinback, measuring 49 mm (w) x 49 mm (h), accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of heavy cardstock with textured faux leather