The champagne cross was issued around 1920 by the Honorary Union of Saxon Participants in the World War/Friendly Union of German Fighters of the Eastern and Western Fronts in Chemnitz. In memory of the bloody battle of World War I, this alliance of war veterans also established the Somme Cross (yellow-black), which issued the Verdun Cross (black and white) and the Argonne Cross (red-black). For the fighters of the Eastern Front, a green enameled cross of a different shape was presented. 2 manufacturers are known who were responsible for the supply of various crosses. The first manufacturer was Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg. (the cross shown here) the 2nd manufacturer was Eugen Lügde, Düsseldorf. Whether there was a change of supplier during the rental period or both manufacturers supplied simultaneously to my personal taste, I do not know. Different in appearance crosses of the Cheap, straight crosses at the Champagne and Verdun cross and straight crosses with medium rounding at the Somme cross are less common. The Argonne Cross is only known from the manufacturer Fleck & Sohn.
These commemorative crosses are not state awards and were received and paid for by the participant himself. Nevertheless, they were gladly worn and endured even on the braces. The rarity also makes them very attractive to collectors, as well as expensive. Often with a matching combat belt or sword.
The non-ferrous metal cross is silver-plated with a superimposed round middle shield. Cruciform shoulders with rounded ends have a wide black enameled rim along the edge. Outside and inside, it is silver. The inner sides of the cross sleeves are enameled with blue glaze. A puncture is translucent. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder there is an embossed small ear with a small ring and a belt ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
.
Front side: Champagne cross
Reverse: Champagne Cross
Awards of World War II