1957 Version - 2nd Class Iron Cross and Spange by S&L

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Here we have a post WWII Federal Republic of Germany; Official denazified "1957" issue for Veteran's wear - Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse. Mit Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz des Weltkrieges 1914/18, both by Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid. It is a multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of an alloy base that has been black enamel painted. The two piece frame is constructed out of a nickel silver base that has been silver washed and polished. A final protectant lacquer coating was applied over the entire award. The obverse features; a patt�e style cross that has a centrally placed three-piece oak leaf cluster and "1939" to the lower arm, which is all on a black base and surrounded by a silvered ribbed/beaded row and a flat outlying border. The reverse shows a centrally placed three piece oak leaf and acorn cluster, below a "FW" (cypher for King Friedrich Wilhelm III) and a Kings crown and is above "1813", and is all surrounded by that same ribbed/beaded row and a flat outlying border. To the top of the cross is a soldered on loop and ring which holds approximately 5 inches of white and black rayon ribbon. The top of the ribbon is a 1957 version spange. It is constructed out of a die struck alloy base that has been silver washed and black painted. The spange consists of a centrally placed Iron cross above a "1939" bar (19 left, 39 right). The full back reverse retains both of its soldered on flatwire prongs. The cross measures approximately 1 ¾ inches wide and tall (without the loop or ring). The spange measures 1 3/16 inches wide and ¼ of an inch tall. A rare piece!