Early 1st Class Iron Cross by Steinhauer & Lück

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

Early - Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse 1939 by Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid. Instituted September 1, 1939, 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 multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of a brass base that has been black enamel painted. The frame and back plate are constructed out of a nickel-silver base that has been silver washed. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The 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 reverse features a soldered-on block hinge, soldered-on c-shaped catch and coke bottle pin. The seam has separated to a few areas. The cross measures 1 ¾ inches wide and tall. Early.