Description
Rare German Cross in Gold – Cloth Version for Assault Gun Troops
Offered here is a rare and highly desirable cloth version of the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold), one of the most significant combat decorations of the Third Reich. The award was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941 and was conferred in two divisions: Gold for repeated acts of bravery or sustained military leadership in combat, and Silver for outstanding non-combat merit. The Gold grade represented an elite level of recognition, ranking above the Iron Cross 1st Class and below the Knight’s Cross.
This example is the embroidered cloth variant issued to members of the Sturmgeschütztruppen (Assault Gun Troops), designed specifically for wear on field and combat uniforms where the heavy metal version was impractical. Cloth German Crosses were produced in far smaller numbers and were typically worn by frontline veterans, making authentic examples significantly scarcer today.
The badge consists of a double-overlaid eight-pointed starburst construction, featuring a field-grey wool base overlaid with machine-embroidered slate-grey thread. Radiating silver aluminum wire rays are neatly applied, displaying strong definition and excellent preservation. At the center is a white embroidered cloth disc, overlaid by a black mobile swastika trimmed in silver aluminum wire, all set within a circular gilt laurel leaf wreath. The wreath is wrapped in ribbon and joined at the base by a plaque bearing the institution date “1941.” Both the inner and outer edges are bordered with red threaded piping, further enhanced by a knotted exterior fringe of silver aluminum wire.
The badge is affixed to what appears to be original grey wool cloth from an infantry uniform and is sewn in place with black thread, consistent with wartime tailoring practices. Condition is excellent overall: the gold wreath retains strong color, the silver threads remain bright and intact, and the embroidery shows no evidence of repair or replacement.
This is a textbook example of a wartime cloth German Cross in Gold, combining rarity, combat association, and outstanding condition—an exceptional centerpiece for any advanced collection of German WWII awards or Assault Gun troop memorabilia.
