BACKGROUND: On March 10^TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Cross’s were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19^TH 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5^TH 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1^ST 1939 Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. When awarded the Iron Cross second class was usually presented in an envelope.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1939 pattern, die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction Pattée style cross with a single piece iron core and a two piece alloy frame. The obverse features an embossed, high relief, central, canted, swastika with the re-institution date, "1939", to the bottom arm. The reverse bottom arm has the embossed original institution date, "1813". The swastika is in nice high relief while the dates are somewhat lower. The black wash to the magnetic center is retained about 90% with small spots of wear to the base metal with light surface spotting. The nickel/silver plated frame shows light age tarnish. The medal loop and ribbon suspension ring appear to have been resoldered, but have separated from the cross, although included. The cross comes with a roughly, 1 3/16" wide, 4 1/2" long, piece of original, ribbed, rayon ribbon. The ribbon is in overall good condition with light age toning. The cross has no visible manufacturer’s markings.