H022096 IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS, 1939 "100 Rudolf Wächtler & Lange". (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse)

BACKGROUND: On March 10TH 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 Crosses were re instituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19TH 1870 for award during the Franco Prussian War and again on August 5TH 1914 by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1ST 1939 Hitler once more re instituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The first class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat, and had already been awarded the Iron Cross second class. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1939 pattern, die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction Patté style cross with a single piece iron core and two piece alloy frame. The obverse of the award features an embossed, central, canted, swastika with re institution date, "1939", to the bottom arm. The swastika is in nice very high relief while the date is somewhat lower. The award has a plain reverse. The plain reverse of the award has a solid, soldered hinge, a broad, thick, tapered, vertical pin and a heavy soldered catch all intact. The reverse of the pin is well marked with the embossed manufacturer's code in a rectangular recess, "100", indicating manufacture by Rudolf Wächtler & Lange, Mittwaida. 

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $655.00

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