WW1 GERMAN IRON CROSS EK2 EISERNES KREUZ MEDAL 1014

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ORIGINAL! WW1/ GERMAN IRON CROSS 2ND CLASS 3 PIECE SILVER FRAME, MAGNETIC IRON CORE NO MAKERS MARK (T IS A POSSBLE MAKERS MARK ON THE LUG RING BUT I AM NOT SURE SO I AM SELLING THIS AS UNMARKED) Some History on the Iron Cross WW1 GERMAN IRON CROSS SECOND CLASS 1914-18 EISERNES KREUZ DER ZWEITEN KLASSE 1914-18 WW1 Iron Cross awarded for Gallantry in Combat The Iron Cross is both a military decoration, emblem and symbol (medal) for bravery, from the Kingdom of Prussia, and later of Germany, which was established by King Frederick William III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813 in Breslau (now Wroclaw), during Prussia's period of 'blood and iron' - their struggle for survival against Napoleon. The Iron Cross (a black four-pointed cross with white trim, with the arms widening towards the ends, similar to a cross pattÃ©e), was designed by the neoclassical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and reflects the cross borne by the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century (the Black Cross adopted by German Crusaders between 1074 and 1270) - also the emblem of Frederick the Great. When the Quadriga of the Goddess of Peace was retrieved from Paris at Napoleon's fall, the Goddess was re-established atop Berlin 's Brandenburg Gate. An Iron Cross was inserted into her laurel wreath, making her into a Goddess of Victory. The Iron Cross is normally a military decoration only âe" though t were instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions. As an example, the civilian pilot Hanna Reitsch was awarded the Iron Cross First Class by Adolf Hitler for her bravery as a test pilot and was one of only two women awarded the Iron Cross First Class during World War II. Periods of Issue - It was intended to replace other traditional awards during times of war, such as the Order of the Red Eagle or the Pour le MÃ¨rite (known as the Blue Max during WW1). In practice, all other medals were issued as well as the Iron Cross. All 1813 medals had the upper central letters "FW" for Frederick III (Friedrich Wilhelm) The Iron Cross was re-issued during the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71). All 1870/71 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm I It was revived for the 1914-18 war All 1914/18 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm II Hitler (who had been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in WW1) reintroduced it in WW2 All 1939/45 medals have the swastika in the central position. In 1957 the banned "nazi" Iron Crosses were re-issued in a de-nazified version. World War One (WWI) - - On 5th August 1914 , Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia , re-established the medal. The 1st & 2nd Classes of Iron Cross was awarded without regard for nationality or social class to combatants for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills. The 1st Class was worn on the left breast, either sewn or pinned on. The 2nd Class was suspended from a black & white ribbon in Parade Dress and in Barracks Dress just the ribbon was worn. As in 1870 the original face (obverse) was retained but as the reverse of the medal. This was done to provide a link with the history of the medal. The Front bore a crown on the upper arm, a "W" in the center, and the date 1914 on the lower arm. NUMBER ISSUED DURING WWI - - During the First World War Germany awarded over five million of these medals to members of the armed forces: Star of the Grand Cross (1) Grand Cross (5), First Class (288,000) Second Class (5,200,000) PROPER DISPLAY WHEN WORN - Was worn suspended from a black & white ribbon. The second class cross was usually only worn in dress uniform - at all other times it was represented by its ribbon looped through the second buttonhole of the tunic. NON-COMBATANT - A non-combatant version was also issued, it's ribbon was white with two black edge strips. CONSTRUCTION - The Iron Cross is usually made in 3 pieces. An iron core (magnetic) with... read more

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