WW1 (Imperial German Empire) - Iron Cross 2nd Class

Perhaps one of, if not the most recognizable medal in military history and certainly but maybe arguably, of German military history, the Iron Cross was awarded for a single act of bravery in the face of an enemy during war time...a combat medal.

The cross itself was worn only on formal occasions but the accompanying ribbon would be worn on the everyday uniform, at the second button hole.

Description: A three piece iron and alloy, die struck construction, Pattée style cross with a single part iron core and two part alloy frame. A loop attached to the medal’s upper arm contains a suspension ring which encircles the ribbon to which the medal accompanies.

Size - Width: 44 mm/1.7” (approximate).

History:
First introduced in March 1813 by then King of Prussia, Frederick William III for heroic actions in combat engagements during the War of Liberation, the invasion to break Napoleon’s control over Europe and the German Federal states. It was reintroduced in the summer of 1870 during the French declaration of war against Prussia, a war which extended into May 1871. It was again re-introduced in the summer of 1914 at the start of WWI by German Monarch King William II and finally in 1939, the day Hitler invaded Poland, igniting WWII.

On each occasion of war, the year of the medal’s introduction (1813) or reintroduction (1870, 1914, 1939), is stamped on the obverse lower descending arm while the reverse, is stamped with the year 1813, the year in which the medal was first introduced. Additionally, pre-WWII versions were additionally embossed at the center in low relief, on the obverse with either a “FW” (representing King Frederick William III) on the 1813 version, a “W” (representing the respective Kings William I and William II) on the 1870 and 1914 versions, with a crown at the upper ascending arm. The reverse included the crown above the initials “FW” atop a sprig of oak leaves. The WWII version saw removal of all embossing, save for the 1813 date on the reverse, and replacement of the “W” with an embossed, high relief, swastika (representing the Nazi era) on the obverse.

The ribbon which accompanied the Iron Cross 1813, 1870, and 1914 versions were black with two thin white bars, representing the Prussian colors. The 1939 version was changed to a black/white/red/white/black color scheme, representative of the Nazi colors.

Note: Multiple in stock...Shipped item may not be exactly as appears in the photos - may contain slight variation in color/standard age wear.
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WW1 (German Empire)
Iron Cross, 2nd Class

$130.00 (Firm)

Awarded for a single act of bravery
in the face of an enemy during war
time...a combat medal.
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