The attractive - and I deem typical somewhat early- ie. mid-war-period - specimen of a: 'Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern' (or: war-merits-cross first-class with swords) is executed in (bright) silver-coloured- and (I deem) 'Buntmetall'-based metal and that comes as issued and/or recently found. The award comes in an overall nice- (albeit moderately worn- ie. most certainly used-), condition. The naturally non-magnetic- and/or non-vaulted cross shows a minimally blackened- ie. tarnished age-patina but was never cleaned nor polished: it retains, however, most of its typical silverish-coloured finish (as can be seen on the pictures). The cross comes naturally mounted onto its functional (flatenned- ie. broad-shaped) pin- and/or: period catch (ie. catch-set-up) which are both present and unaltered (as can be seen on the pictures). The piece - which shows a clearly present makers'-designation: '43' stamped onto its back - is thus an example that was produced by the maker (ie. 'Hersteller') named: 'Julius Bauer & Söhne' as was based in the town of: Zella Mehlis in Thüringen. I deem that the KvK 1st class award is a bit underestimated by the collectors' community: they can almost be graded equally as the IC 1st class. Simply an attractive example that was produced by the desirable maker: 'Julius Bauer & Söhne' and that is I deem accordingly priced!