Interesting - 1st Class Iron Cross

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Iron Cross Series > 1st Class Iron Cross

A very interesting Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse! It’s a one piece cross, vaulted, two piece screwback disk, non-magnetic and currently there is no defined maker. The most likely maker of this is attributed to C. E. Juncker of Berlin. The 1st Class Iron Cross was awarded to those who had received the 2nd class iron cross and preformed 3-5 acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, or actions that were clearly above and beyond the call of duty. It is a die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece cross is constructed out of an alloy metal base that has been black enamel painted and silver washed. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The vaulted obverse features; a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed mobile swastika 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 full back reverse features a centrally soldered on female screw piece, a large tombak concave washer (and green wool piece) and a tombak male round screw back piece. The paint is in excellent condition remaining 98%+ intact and the frame features wonderful patina! The cross measures approximately 1 ¾ inches wide and tall. Not for the faint-hearted!