Imperial EKII by S-W with Award Document

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Imperial Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse 1914 “S-W” (Sy-Wagner, Berlin) mit Verleihungsurkunde der Musketier Adolf Ritter - Infanteriregimentet "von Horn" (3. Rheinisches) nr. 29. The Iron Cross was reauthorized by Emperor Wilhelm II on August 5, 1914, and was award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. It is a multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of an iron metal base that has been black enamel painted. The frame is constructed out of a nickel-silver base that has been silver washed. The obverse features; a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed “W” (cypher of King Wilhelm I & II), below a Kings crown (top arm) and above “1914” (lower arm – reinstitution date of the Iron Cross), 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 “FW” (cypher of King Friedrich Wilhelm III) and a Kings crown and is above “1813” (lower arm - original creation date of the Iron Cross), and is all surrounded by that same border. The award measures 1 11/16 inches wide and tall. To the top is a soldered-on loop and ring marked “S-W”, which holds 5 7/8 inches of black and white rayon ribbon. The award comes with its original award document. The document features a wreathed 2nd Class Iron Cross to the top left and reads: “Im Namen Seiner Majestät des Kaisers und Königs ist durch den Kommandeur der 16. Infanterie-Division dem”, “Musketier Adolf Ritter 2. Komp., Infanteriregimentet von Horn (3. Rhein.) Nr. 29”, “Das Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse”, “am 4. März 1918”, “verliehen worden.”, it is approval stamped by the “Königreich Preußen” (Kingdom of Prussia) and “Major und Regiments-Kommandeur”. It has been folded and has a small piece of tape to the back. It measures 7 5/16 inches wide by 4 7/16 inches tall. Musketeer Adolf Ritter likely won his 2nd Class Iron Cross for his actions during the Battle of the Lys (1918).