This piece is a typical World War I production by the firm Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, circa 1925/30. Gilt bronze, finely enameled on both sides. Top with the so-called “baroque eyelet” and gilt ribbon ring, without maker's mark. Complete with the worn ready-made neck ribbon. Worn piece, minor enamel damage on the lower cross arm, in good condition.
Included is the Luftwaffe Soldbuch (paybook), issued by Luftverteidigungskommando 4 on October 25, 1939 with promotions from Generalmajor to Generalleutnant in 1943, with an excellent uniform photograph as Generalleutnant wearing this Pour le Mérite (!), recorded postings: 1941 General der Luftwaffe in Denmark, 1943 Kommandierender General and Befehlshaber Luftgau Norway, 1944 to Führerreserve O.K.L., April 30, 1945 discharged from active military service. Recorded awards: 1940 Clasp to Iron Cross II Class 1941 Romanian and Bulgarian Pilot's Badge, Commander's Cross of the Star of Romania, War Merit Cross 1939 1st Class with Swords, 1942 Romania Medal Crusade Against Communism. Last entry May 1, 1945. The Soldbuch with gray linen cover, typical signs of use, condition 2.
Luftwaffe gold presentation ring from Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring. This is a Christmas gift, given in 1941. Gold finger ring, in the center a set blue gemstone with applied gold Pilot's Badge, decorated on the sides with Luftwaffe national eagles. Inside stamped “585” gold (= 14 karat) as well as very fine gift engraving “S. lb. E.R. v. Schleich Göring 24.12.41” and marking of the jeweler Walter Kramer in Ribnitz. Minor wear and use marks, condition 2. Complete in an old case.
Also included are 5 original photo postcards of Ritter v. Schleich as a fighter pilot in World War I, a signed original photograph as a fighter pilot “Ritter von Schleich Major” and a signed photograph as Generalmajor der Luftwaffe next to Adolf Galland at a table “Ritter von Schleich”. Furthermore, the book “Ritter v. Schleich - Jagdflieger im Weltkrieg und im Dritten Reich” by Fried Lange, on the front endpaper with handwritten signature “Ritter von Schleich”, published 1939.

Eduard-Maria Joseph Schleich, from 1918 Ritter von Schleich (born August 9, 1888 in Munich; died November 15, 1947 in Dießen am Ammersee), was a German officer and politician. In World War I, Schleich was a renowned fighter pilot. After the war, Schleich worked for the National Socialists in establishing the SS-Fliegerstaffel and as a Reichstag deputy of the NSDAP. In World War II, he was a Generalleutnant of the German Luftwaffe.
Schleich joined the Bavarian Army as a cadet in 1908. He completed his officer training and was promoted to Leutnant.
At the beginning of World War I, Schleich was initially deployed as an infantry officer and was wounded on August 25, 1914. After his recovery, he transferred to the Fliegertruppe, initially as an observer and soon thereafter as a pilot. The associated Pilot's Badge with No. 125 was awarded to him on September 11, 1915. In 1917, he advanced to commander of Jagdstaffel 21, then of the newly established Bavarian Jagdstaffel 32, Jagdgruppe 8, and finally, shortly before the war's end, Jagdgeschwader 4. In August 1918, Schleich was promoted to Hauptmann.

Schleich was one of the most successful German fighter pilots in World War I with 35 aerial victories. As he painted his aircraft black from 1917 onwards, he became known as the “Black Knight.”

For his military achievements, Schleich was highly decorated. He received both classes of the Iron Cross, on December 4, 1917 the Order Pour le Mérite, and as the highest bravery award of the Kingdom of Bavaria on June 14, 1918 the Knight's Cross of the Military Max Joseph Order. Due to the associated elevation to personal nobility, he was permitted from this time to call himself “Ritter von Schleich.”
After the war's end, Schleich belonged to liquidation offices of the Fliegertruppe including in Schleißheim. On December 31, 1921, he was discharged with the rank of Major.

In civilian life, Schleich worked from May 1924 as flight director for various aviation companies, most recently from April 1927 to October 1929 for the recently founded Lufthansa.

On April 1, 1931, Schleich joined the SS with the rank of SS-Sturmbannführer. From October 1, 1931 to April 15, 1934, he commanded the SS-Fliegerstaffel Süd. In 1932, the SS-Fliegerstaffel-Süd accompanied Adolf Hitler's Ju 52 in the Reichstag election campaign.

After the NSDAP's seizure of power, the flying squadrons of the SA and SS were transferred to the Deutscher Luftsportverband (DLV). This ended memberships in the SA and SS. Within the DLV presidium, Schleich was aviation commander and also led the Thuringia regional group. Of particular importance was his function as liaison to the Reich Youth Leadership; Reich Youth Leader Baldur von Schirach called Schleich a friend.

In November 1933, Schleich was elected to the Reichstag for the NSDAP.

On April 1, 1935, Schleich joined the newly founded Luftwaffe with the rank of Major. He served as an instructor responsible for dive bombers and their crews.

Schleich became commander of Jagdgeschwader 132 as an Oberst on November 1, 1938.
Jagdgeschwader 26 under Schleich's command participated in the invasion of Poland from September 1, 1939 at the beginning of World War II. At the end of the month, it was transferred to the Western Front, where there were few combat operations at that time.

Already in December 1939, Schleich was withdrawn from the combat unit and promoted to Generalmajor, transferred to a newly established Jagdfliegerschule 5 in Schwechat near Vienna. In autumn 1940, he transferred to Romania, allied with Germany, to support the Romanian Air Force in organization and training.

Only a few days before the German-Soviet War, Schleich was withdrawn from Romania and on June 12, 1941 became Kommandierender General of the German Luftwaffe in occupied Denmark. In January 1944, he assumed command of Luftgau Norway, which he held until October of the same year. After consolidation of the command for flying and ground forces, he became Kommandierender General of the German Luftwaffe in Norway on October 10 for a transitional period of one month. Having been promoted to Generalleutnant in the meantime, Schleich was placed in inactive reserve on November 15, 1944.

At war's end, Schleich was taken prisoner on May 9, 1945. He remained in a U.S. prisoner of war camp until his death.

The Order Pour le Mérite was established by Frederick the Great in 1740 and was, alongside the Order of the Black Eagle, the most significant decoration that could be awarded in Prussia. From its establishment in 1740 until the end of World War I in 1918, the order was awarded to a total of 5,430 individuals. In World War I, the Pour le Mérite was awarded 687 times, with oak leaves only 122 times. Replacement pieces from this period appear repeatedly. Due to the daily wearing of the awarded crosses in World War I, most pieces had more or less extensive enamel damage. For this reason, many officers who served in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht after 1918 purchased corresponding replacement pieces to continue wearing them.
The piece from the estate is a typical production by the firm Steinhauer & Lück from the 1920s/30s. Although the firm had existed since 1889, it did not receive a contract for the production of the Pour le Mérite in World War I, but then began production after World War I due to high demand. Enclosed are some photographs from the 1930s showing the firm's showroom, in which the Pour le Mérite is clearly visible in the display, as well as a contemporary photograph of a sales catalog from the Steinhauer period showing the PlM. Finally, an enlargement of a photograph of Ritter von Greim, on which the Steinhauer Pour le Mérite is clearly recognizable.
For the entire estate sold by us, we provide a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

471131

The Order Pour le Mérite – Prussia’s Highest Military Distinction and the Estate of Generalleutnant Eduard Ritter von Schleich

The Order Pour le Mérite stands among the most celebrated military decorations in European history. Established in 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia (“Frederick the Great”), it replaced the earlier Ordre de la Générosité of 1667. Its French name reflects the language of the Prussian court in that era. Alongside the Order of the Black Eagle, the Pour le Mérite was the most significant distinction that could be bestowed in Prussia. From 1810 onward, it was reserved exclusively for military merit, becoming the supreme recognition of extraordinary personal achievement and repeated gallantry among officers of the German armed forces.

The decoration takes the form of a blue-enameled Maltese Cross with golden eagles between the arms. The front bears the crowned monogram “F” for Frederick II on the top arm, with the inscription “POUR LE MÉRITE” in gold letters across the cross arms. During the First World War, official pieces were manufactured by three Berlin firms: Wagner (Johann Wagner & Sohn), Friedländer, and Godet (Gebrüder Godet & Co.). Until the end of 1915, these were struck in gold — a total of 106 gold pieces — before production shifted to gilt silver marked 938/1000. Official wartime examples bore manufacturer marks such as “938 W” (Wagner), “GuS 938” (Godet), or Friedländer stamps in the lower cross arm.

The order existed in several variants: the basic cross, with oak leaves for repeated distinction (awarded 122 times during the First World War), with a crown for the fiftieth anniversary, and the Grand Cross, conferred only five times in the decoration’s history. The award was never given posthumously. Since its founding, it was bestowed upon a total of 5,430 individuals.

The First World War brought the Pour le Mérite to international fame, particularly through its association with the aces of the German Army Air Service. Its popular nickname, the “Blue Max,” derives from Max Immelmann, who alongside Oswald Boelcke became one of the first airmen to receive the order in January 1916. Other renowned recipients included Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron” with 80 aerial victories, the U-boat commander Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, and prominent military leaders such as Paul von Hindenburg, Erich Ludendorff, and August von Mackensen. For fighter pilots, the threshold for the award rose dramatically over the course of the war: from approximately 8 victories in 1916, to 16 by early 1917, and roughly 30 by the war’s end.

Eduard Ritter von Schleich (born 9 August 1888 in Munich, died 15 November 1947 in Dießen am Ammersee) received his Pour le Mérite on 4 December 1917 for 25 aerial victories, ultimately ending the war with 35 confirmed kills. He commanded successively the Jagdstaffel 21, the Bavarian Jagdstaffel 32, Jagdgruppe 8, and finally Jagdgeschwader 4. Known as the “Black Knight” for painting his aircraft black from 1917 onward, Schleich was among Germany’s most distinguished fighter pilots. In addition to the Pour le Mérite, he received both classes of the Iron Cross and, on 14 June 1918, the Knight’s Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph — Bavaria’s highest award for valor — which conferred upon him the personal title of nobility “Ritter von.”

With the fall of the Prussian monarchy in November 1918, the military class of the order was extinguished. The civil class was revived in 1923 as an independent body and continues today as the “Pour le Mérite für Wissenschaften und Künste” (re-established 1952). The last living military recipient was Ernst Jünger, who passed away in 1998.

The specific piece from this estate is a characteristic production of the firm Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid. Founded in 1889, this firm was not among the official wartime manufacturers of the Pour le Mérite. The piece displays the firm’s typical “baroque loop” (Barocköse) suspension and gilded ribbon ring but bears no manufacturer’s mark. It is constructed from gilded base metal (Buntmetall) with enamel on both sides — distinguishing it clearly from the official gold or gilt-silver wartime productions. This piece represents a replacement or second piece, a category that emerged from a genuine historical need: daily wear of the Pour le Mérite at uniform caused significant enamel damage over time, and many officers who continued to serve in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht after 1918 purchased replacement crosses from firms like Steinhauer & Lück. In 1957, the German government officially authorized Steinhauer & Lück to produce replacement pieces for surviving First World War recipients.

The estate presented here offers a remarkable documentary ensemble. Beyond the Pour le Mérite with its worn neck ribbon, it includes Schleich’s Luftwaffe Soldbuch (pay book), issued on 25 October 1939, documenting his promotions from Generalmajor to Generalleutnant (1943) and his various postings — including his role as General of the Luftwaffe in Denmark (1941) and Commanding General of Luftgau Norway (1943). The Soldbuch contains a uniform photograph showing him wearing the Pour le Mérite. Additional items include historical photo postcards from his First World War service as a fighter pilot, as well as signed photographs from later periods.

This collection provides both a tangible connection to one of Germany’s most prominent fighter aces of the Great War and a material testament to the post-1918 history of the Pour le Mérite — a decoration whose significance extended far beyond the conflict that made it legendary.