This Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords stickpin, made by Funcke & Bruninghaus (marked L/57 under the pin on the reverse), is a superb example with excellent detailing and a beautiful fire-gilded finish. In Germany, during and between the World Wars, stickpins were generally made for civilian wear, by both men and women. Unlike most civil and military awards, which were intended for uniform wear as medals or pin-on badges, stickpins were primarily designed to adorn the lapels of suits.
A huge variety of these stickpins were produced. Some were available to the general public and were patriotic or showed support for specific causes. Others served as membership pins for military, paramilitary, civil, or political organizations. Military and civil awards were also reproduced as stickpins—these miniature versions could depict a single award or display all the decorations an individual had earned.