1939 Iron cross 1st class

Description

1939 IRON CROSS  1ST  CLASS

The  1939  Iron Cross  1st Class is  a pin back award. Our reproduction is an accurate   single piece copy with correct  broad pin to the  reverse and fine  details the  centre  and  the  silver beading. Originals  are constructed  from  a  silver  flange, silvered  back plate  and a  cast  iron  centre. It was awarded for  military  deeds  and  worn on the  left  breast.

The 1939 Iron  cross  was introduced 1^st sept  1939 following the beginning of the  second  world  war. Three  grades  were issued,  2^nd  class, 1^st  class  and  The Knights  cross  of  the Iron  cross. The  latter  cross  was   of  a larger  size 48mm  and worn  round  the neck with  a wider  ribbon.  The  1939 Ribbon was  red  white  and black.

The  Iron cross was  first Introduced   in  1813  by Fredrich Wilhelm 111 of Prussia during the Napoleonic wars. It was  reinstated as  a German  award  rather  than just  Prussian in 1870,1914  and during  the  Third  Reich from 1939. The roots  of  the Iron  cross  can be traced  back to the Teutonic knight order 1190 AD.  The very  earliest example  of  a  Teutonic cross can be  traced  to  the  1300§`s  and appeared on coins in various  cities Later  Heraldic neck  cross were   worn around the 1600`s with pin back crosses  appearing in the 1800,s. All these  inspired  the later  design of the iron cross we  are familiar  with today.   Early  neck  crosses  were  worn over  dark  clothing  with  white  enamel borders  to  make the  cross visible.  As  stated early  the  first  award  was instituted in 1813  followed  again in 1870, 1914, 1939  and finally  1957.