1914 Iron cross 2nd class

Description

1914 Iron Cross 2nd class.

Good  quality copy  awarded for bravery during the  first world  war . Double  sided  with a length of  imperial  ribbon.  Most  famous  recipient  was of  course  Adolf  Hitler  who was  awarded  the 1914  iron Cross 2nd  class 2nd  December 1914.

Historical information

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.