WWI/WWII Combo - Iron Cross by Wilm and Spange by L/12

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Iron Cross Series > 2nd Class Spange

Germany, WWI/WWII - Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse 1914 by “WILM” - H.J. (Hofjeweler) Wilm of Berlin mit Spange zum Wiederholungsspangen 1939 zum Eisernen Kreuzes II. Klasse 1914 (2. Form) by “L/12” - C. E. Juncker of Berlin. Reinstituted August 5, 1914, by Emperor Wilhelm II, as the third endowment of the Iron Cross, the 2nd Class was awarded to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. From March 16, 1915, the Iron Cross could also be awarded to members of the states allied with the Empire of Germany. Instituted September 1, 1939, the 2nd Class Spange to the Iron Cross 1914 (Repetition Clasp) was awarded to individuals who has received the 2nd class Iron Cross in WWI and would have earned the 2nd Class Iron Cross in WWII. The Iron Cross is a multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of a cast 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 the royal crown of Prussia (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, from top to bottom; the royal crown of Prussia, “FW” (cypher of King Friedrich Wilhelm III), a centrally placed three-piece oak leaf and acorn cluster and “1813” (lower arm - original creation date of the Iron Cross) to the bottom, which is all surrounded by that same border. To the top is a soldered-on loop and ring marked “WILM”, which holds 5 inches of Third Reich era ribbon. The cross measures 1 11/16 inches wide and tall. well patinaed. Attached to the ribbon is a 2nd Class Spange. The 2nd Class Spange is constructed out of a die struck nickel-silver base that has been silver washed. The obverse of the badge depicts a German national eagle, with out-stretched wings clutching a wreathed swastika within its talons and is above a trapezoid shaped pebbled bannered that reads “1939”. The full back reverse is maker marked “L/12” (it is marked I did not want to photograph it and ruin the prongs) and retains all four soldered-on flat wire prongs. It continues to retain beautiful detail! The spange measures 1 1/4 inches wide and tall. A desirable set up!