1st Class Iron Cross by L54

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

Schraube - Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse by L54 - Schauerte & Höhfeld 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 an iron metal 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 patée 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 fullback reverse is maker marked, within a rectangle: “L54” and features a centrally soldered-on female screw piece, top anti-rotation spike and a round male screw back device. The cross measures 1 ¾ inches wide and tall. A great private purchased example!