A Third Reich, Post War Copy of the War Order of the German Cross in Gold, Apparently Commissioned from Rudolf Souval of Vienna

The previous owner stated his belief it was commissioned from Souval, but not to be one of his regular post war copies types, as was especially made for the film in the 1970’s , but made to their specification.

For information, Rudolf Souval was born in 1819. His workshop was based in Straße der Julikämpfer 23 in Vienna. Souval died in 1899 and the firm was taken over by Mr. Ludwig Umlauf and his wife who continued to produce awards under the Souval name. The company remained active before, during and even after the end of the Second World War, continually making WW2 pattern medals. His LDO stamped mark on badges can be L/58, but not all of his pieces were indeed stamped. Souvals post-war medals and awards were always as good quality as their wartime made examples, and now attract their own, most vibrant, collectors interest

The War Order of the German Cross (German: Der Kriegsorden Deutsches Kreuz), normally abbreviated to the German Cross or Deutsches Kreuz, was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leadership; and in silver for distinguished non-combat war service. The German Cross in Gold ranked higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, while the German Cross in Silver ranked higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords.
This was presented, along with an Waffen SS NCO's cap that we had and sold a few weeks ago to a gentleman involved in several famous WW2 films such as 'A Bridge Too Far' this is a stunning quality breast badge award, possibly made by Souval of Wien, but again, certainly possibly not. He was an original WW2 German medal maker, who continued to make the same medals, awards and badges in the 1950's. Either way this order of the German Cross is one of those post war 1950's copies, worn in 'A Bridge Too Far' and priced accordingly, as a non WW2 example, but a very fine copy .
For information only, one photo in the gallery is a still from a 'Bridge Too Far' is shows world famous actor Maximillian Schell as Obergruppenführer Bittrich, wearing the Order of the German Cross, and also a copy of the original Award certificate: of the German Cross in Gold, awarded to Count Claus von Stauffenberg 8 May 1943. He was the principle famous officer involved in the 1944 failed assassination attempt, at the Wolf's Lair general staff meeting, of Hitler, as seen in Tom Cruise's movie 'Valkyrie'
Original wartime issue, unknown recipient examples, now fetch between £3,000 to £5,000. A famous known recipient example, with provenance, such as Von Stauffenberg’s, could be worth up to £75,000 or even more.

Code: 24607