H04455 IRON CROSS 2^ND CLASS RIBBON. (EKII Ordensband) 

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. The award was issued suspended from a ribbon in the German national colors. Generally the Iron Cross 2^ND class was only worn on the day of bestowal or on a medal bar for dress or ceremonial occasions resulting in the ribbon being worn on a day to day basis on the field blouse.  

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 1" wide, 6 7/8" long, horizontal ribbed rayon ribbon features a central red vertical base with narrow black outer and narrow white inner edge stripes. The ribbon is in overall excellent, unissued condition with minimal age toning and a couple of storage fold creases. Of Note: The narrow width of this ribbon would indicate it was intended for use on a medal or ribbon bar as opposed to use with the actual Iron Cross.

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