Iron Cross EK1 By Zimmermann With Outer Cardboard Box

An original Iron Cross EK1 by Zimmermann with an outer cardboard box, the iron cross is three-piece construction with a blackened iron core, within a ribbed border.  The obverse depicts a mobile swastika in the centre of a Prussian-style cross with the re-institution date “1939” embossed below.  The reverse of the iron cross has a vertical pinback, and barrel hinge with a flat wire catch marked “L52” below for C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim.  The outer cardboard box is inscribed on the lid “EISERNES KREUZ I. KLASSE 1939” (Iron Cross 1st Class 1939) and “NUR VOM EMPFÄNGER ZU ÖFFNEN” (Only For Recipient To Open) the edge has the maker “Fritz Zimmermann Ordenfabrik, Stuttgart”, measuring 70 mm (w) x 75 mm (l) x 25 mm (h).

The box is damaged with plenty of wear, but the medals is in good condition.

Product ID: 9072

£365.00

Out of stock

Description

IRON CROSS EK1

The German Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) is a former military Prussian decoration, awarded for bravery, and later restored by Adolf Hitler in 1939.

The Iron Cross of World War II was graded into three main categories the Iron Cross 2nd Class (EKII), Iron Cross 1st Class (EK1) and the Knights Cross which replaced the Prussian Pour le Mérite or “Blue Max” as Hitler did not approve of much of the old Prussian order award only to officers.

The Prussian Iron Cross 1914 with black and white ribbon, was replaced with the red, white and black colours adopted by The National Socialist German Workers’ Party. with a Swastika added in the centre with 1939 beneath.

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