{"product_id":"german-wwi-hindenburg-cross-for-front-combatants-with-named-1934-award-document","title":"German WWI Hindenburg Cross for Front Combatants with Named 1934 Award Document","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an original Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer, or Honor Cross for Front Combatants, commonly known as the Hindenburg Cross with Swords, accompanied by its original named award document issued to World War I veteran Kurt Benkert of Rodewisch in the Vogtland region of Saxony. Together, the decoration and document form a complete and identifiable First World War veterans’ group with documented recipient provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe bronze-finished cross is of the standard combatant pattern, formed as a cross pattée with raised border lines to each arm. At the center is a circular medallion bearing the dates “1914” and “1918,” surrounded by an oak-leaf wreath tied at the base. A pair of crossed swords appears behind the lower arms of the cross, identifying this as the Frontkämpfer, or front combatant, grade awarded to veterans who had served with fighting troops during the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe decoration retains its original black, white, and red ribbon. The reverse is maker marked “St. \u0026amp; L.,” identifying manufacture by Steinhauer and Lück of Lüdenscheid, one of Germany’s long-established manufacturers of medals, orders, and military insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe accompanying award document provides the principal provenance for this group. It is issued to:\u003cbr\u003e“Kurt Benkert”\u003cbr\u003ewho is identified as:\u003cbr\u003e“Bankbeamten”\u003cbr\u003eor:\u003cbr\u003e“Bank employee.”\u003cbr\u003eHis address is given as:\u003cbr\u003e“in Rodewisch i.V., Auerbacherstr. 14 C”\u003cbr\u003emeaning:\u003cbr\u003e“in Rodewisch in the Vogtland, Auerbacherstraße 14 C.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document records the award under the ordinance of 13 July 1934 commemorating German participation in the First World War. The principal text reads:\u003cbr\u003e“Im Namen des Führers und Reichskanzlers \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDem Bankbeamten Kurt Benkert in Rodewisch i.V., Auerbacherstr. 14 C ist auf Grund der Verordnung vom 13. Juli 1934 zur Erinnerung an den Weltkrieg 1914\/1918 das von dem Reichspräsidenten Generalfeldmarschall von Hindenburg gestiftete Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer verliehen worden.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis translates as:\u003cbr\u003e“In the name of the Führer and Reich Chancellor, the Honor Cross for Front Combatants, instituted by Reich President Generalfeldmarschall von Hindenburg in remembrance of the World War of 1914\/1918, has been awarded to bank employee Kurt Benkert of Rodewisch in the Vogtland, Auerbacherstraße 14 C, on the basis of the ordinance of 13 July 1934.”\u003cbr\u003eThe document is dated:\u003cbr\u003e“Auerbach i.V., den 14. Dezember 1934”\u003cbr\u003eor:\u003cbr\u003e“Auerbach in the Vogtland, 14 December 1934.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt carries document number “2973\/34” and bears the official circular seal of the Sächsische Amtshauptmannschaft Auerbach i.V., or Saxon District Administration of Auerbach in the Vogtland. It is signed on behalf of the Amts­hauptmann, or district administrator.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hindenburg Cross was instituted by Reich President Paul von Hindenburg on 13 July 1934 as a national commemorative decoration recognizing German participants in the First World War. It was issued in separate grades for front combatants, other war participants, and the surviving relatives of those who had died as a result of wartime service. The crossed swords distinguish this example as the combatant grade and directly connect the award to front-line military service during the 1914–1918 conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor collectors of Imperial German and First World War material, the value of this group lies not simply in the medal itself but in the surviving named document. Loose Hindenburg Crosses are relatively common, but the original paperwork preserves the identity, occupation, residence, date of award, and issuing authority of a specific veteran. This transforms the group from an anonymous decoration into a traceable piece of World War I veterans’ history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe medal remains in very good condition with an even aged bronze patina and strong definition to the dates, wreath, swords, and raised border details. The ribbon is complete and retains strong color, showing expected age, light soiling, minor pulling, and handling wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe award document remains complete and fully legible. It has been folded historically and shows corresponding fold lines, light creasing, minor edge wear, scattered age toning, and small areas of spotting and handling wear. The official stamp, typed recipient information, document number, date, and signature remain clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a complete named World War I veterans’ group with original medal, period ribbon, identifiable maker, and original award document, this is a substantially more interesting and desirable example than an isolated Hindenburg Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50921508405487,"sku":"05-85","price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/9169\/5855\/files\/IMG_9181.jpg?v=1790805739","url":"https:\/\/derrittmeister.com\/products\/german-wwi-hindenburg-cross-for-front-combatants-with-named-1934-award-document","provider":"Derrittmeister Militaria Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}