PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The 1 7/8" square "Cross Patté" features, to the obverse, a spray of three oak leaves to its center, replacing the swastika, and a "1939" date to its lower arm, whose "9" is set very closely to the frame. To the lower arm of the reverse is the "1813" date. The magnetic core retains all of its original black finish, to both faces, which has been applied such that it has irregularly bled unto the inner frame. The two-piece, silver plated alloy frame which sandwiches the core is still relatively bright, with some edge wear. As this is evidently a later striking of the "New Form" Iron Cross, there was never any frosting applied to its inner frame. Its eye ring is in two halves as it is an integral part of the rim. Although it is unmarked, the principal manufacturer for the "New Form " Knight’s Crosses was Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid. Fed unto the eye is the loop for the ribbon, whose finish is more noticeably worn than that to the frame. Included is its original, approximately 1 3/4" x 16", black-white-wide red-white-black ribbon, which is very clean, most likely as a result of its never having been worn. The 3 1/8" x 5 11/16" x 1", wooden presentation case, which is covered in black imitation leather, has a metal push button to its forward edge and a metal "piano" hinge to its reverse. The interior of its lid in lined in either white satin or silky rayon, with foam padding underneath. The use of foam rather than cotton fabric padding is the principal difference between the 1957 re-issue cases and their wartime antecedents. The base of the interior has a compartment to its upper end in which the ribbon is set, and a form-fitting recess for the cross is to the remainder. Both are lined in black velvet-like flocking. The exterior of the case exhibits light edge wear, surface scuffing and scratching.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $955.00