ORIGINAL NAZI 1938 CROSS/ORDER OF HONOR OF THE GERMAN MOTHER WITH SWASTIKA

3d CLASS ORDER IN BRONZE WITH FULL LENGTH RIBBON

HONOR CROSS FOR THE GERMAN MOTHER IN BRONZE

FULL SIZE MEDAL WITH FULL LENGTH RIBBON

MINT CONDITION

History
In recognition of the substantial importance a woman's role and motherhood was in support of a strong Deutsches Reich nation, the 'Cross of Honour of the German Mother' was introduced by decree in Berlin on 16 December 1938 by Chancellor of Germany (Reichskanzler) Adolf Hitler.The preamble of the statutory decree declared: "As a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honour of the German Mother" (Original text in German: "Als sichtbares Zeichen des Dankes des Deutschen Volkes an kinderreiche MÃ¼tter stifte ich das Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter").[1] The Mother's Cross was conferred annually thereafter principally on 'Mother's Day', but also extended to include other national annual occasions of celebration.

Decoration

The Mother's Cross comprised three classes of order, and was conferred to mothers in accordance with its statutory legislation: "Verordnung des FÃ¼hrers und Reichskanzlers Ã¼ber die Stiftung des Ehrenkreuzes der Deutschen Mutter vom 16. Dezember 1938. Reichsgesetzblatt (RGBI) Teil I, 1938, Nr. 224, Seite 1923" (In English: Statutory Order of the Leader and Chancellor on the establishment of the Cross of Honour of the German Mother of 16 December 1938. Imperial-(Reichs) Law Gazette (RGBl) Part I, 1938, No. 224, Page 1923), and its stringent nomination screening protocol. Classes of the Order In decreasing order of seniority, these are:
â€¢ 1st Class Order, Gold Cross. -- eligible mothers with eight or more children
â€¢ 2nd Class Order, Silver Cross. -- eligible mothers with six to seven children
â€¢ 3rd Class Order, Bronze Cross. -- eligible mothers with four to five children

Cross Design
The cross design is a slender elongated form of the Iron Cross or cross pattée and very similar in design to the Cross of the Teutonic Knights Order (German: Deutscher Ritterorden or Ritterkreuz), enameled translucent-blue with a slim opaque-white border.[2][6] Resting on the centre radiant starburst rays is a metal roundel decorated with the words "DER DEUTSCHEN MUTTER" (In English: OF THE GERMAN MOTHER) around an enameled black straight centred "swastika" symbol, infilled white enamel. The cross design was the creation of the established Munich based architect and sculptor Franz Berberich. The production of the cross involved several established PrÃ¤sidialkanzlei (Presidential Chancellery) approved medal makers from across the Deutsches Reich realm. A maker's mark, however, was never applied to the crosses produced; though each official house of manufacture did apply their name to the dark-blue presentation case (inside cover) for the 1st Class Gold Cross and the presentation sachets (reverse side) for each of the 2nd and 3rd Class Cross. Cross Reverse Side Inscription Inscribed on the reverse side of the cross, of which two official reverse-side styles exist, is the inscription "Das Kind adelt die Mutter" (The Child ennobles the Mother) found on the initial version produced on inception during the early part of 1939. On the succeeding version produced from 1939-1945 the initial former reverse inscription was replaced during production with the date of the decoration decree "16. Dezember 1938". Directly beneath each of the two styles is the inscribed facsimile signature of Chancellor (Reichskanzler) Adolf Hitler; a style variation in this signature exists between the initial and succeeding version produced.

Neck Ribbon
The decoration is a neck order and thus is worn around the neck on its accompanying narrow blue and white ribbon[2] of circa 60--70 cm in length. No other format of wear or placement was permitted.

ORIGINAL NAZI 1938 CROSS/ORDER OF HONOR OF THE GERMAN MOTHER WITH SWASTIKA

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