WWII German Iron Cross First Class
Item #: WR30
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This is a World War II German Iron Cross First Class with a screw back. The Iron Cross was issued over several different periods of German history. The era it derives from is annotated at the bottom of the cross, World War I bears the year 1914, World War II 1939. Iron Crosses awarded in 1813, 1870 and 1914 all had black ribbons with two thin white bands. These were the national colors of Prussia. Through World War I the Iron Cross had three grades, 2nd Class, 1st Class and Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. Iron Cross 1st Class medals were worn on the left side of the recipient's uniform and attached to the uniform by means of a pin or screw backs. The grand Cross and the Iron Cross Second Class were suspended from ribbons. Adolf Hitler was a recipient of the Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class from World War I. After he assumed power, he restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a German decoration and continued the tradition of issuing it in various classes. The Iron Cross of World War II was divided into three main series of decorations with an intermediate category known as the Knight's Cross instituted between the lowest award of the Iron Cross and the highest award of the Grand Cross. The Knight's Cross replaced the Blue Max, a Prussian award that could only be awarded to officers. The standard 1939 Iron Cross was issued in two grades, Iron Cross 2nd Class and Iron Cross 1st Class. It was awarded for bravery in battle as well as other military contributions in a battlefield environment. The Iron Cross 1st Class was a pin on medal with no ribbon and was worn centered on the left uniform breast pocket. The Iron Cross was a progressive award, with the 2nd Class having to be earned before the first class could be awarded. Estimates put around 4 1/2 million Iron Cross 2nd Class and 300,000 Iron Cross 1st Class were awarded during World War II. Probably one of the mist iconic medals associated with Germany or either world war for that matter, the Iron Cross represented bravery displayed in battle by it's recipient. This Iron Cross 1st Class is in good condition. The majority of the original black paint is still present. The right arm of the cross has the most paint loss. The silver border is lightly tarnished, but does not detract from the eye appeal of this medal. The screw on back shows wear, but threads on and off the medal with no problems. The silver wash on the back of the medal is almost gone. There are two back marks, the left arm being marked L59, indicating the manufacturer Alois Restenmaier of Schwabisch - Gmund. The right arm is marked with a small triangle. This is a nice example of an iconic medal from WWII. It will make a fine addition to your World War II medal collection.
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