Original German WWII Early Non-magnetic Iron Cross First Class 1939 by Eduard Görlach & Söhne – EKI Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. This a very good example of a WWII Iron Cross First Class 1939, with a non-magnetic core, flat design, and straight pin attachment. It is marked with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 51 on the pin, which represents maker Eduard Görlach & Söhne of Gablonz a.d. Neisse, part of the so-called “Sudetenland” during WWII. Today it is known as Jablonec nad Nisou in the Czech Rebublic.

The core on this example looks to be made from some type of alloy, probably zinc or maybe tombak. These non-magnetic types were seen almost exclusively during the early war period. The paint is well retained on most of the background, with wear through on the date and central swas (hook cross). The silver portions of the award show a lovely lightly tarnished patina. The pin back is still full functional and in great shape.

The basic design of the WWII crosses is a central Tatzenkreuz (cross pattée) struck from iron or brass, and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1939 under a “mobile” swas. Second class crosses would have a ring at the top where a ring was attached, and had more markings on the back. The first class award, however, was meant to attach directly to the front of the uniform.

Please note the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.

The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz, abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and NSDAP Germany (1933–1945). It was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in March 1813 backdated to the birthday of his late wife Queen Louise on 10 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars (EK 1813). Louise was the first person to receive this decoration (posthumous). The recommissioned Iron Cross was also awarded during the Franco-Prussian War (EK 1870), World War I (EK 1914), and World War II (EK 1939, re-introduced with a swas added in the center).

The Iron Cross was normally a military decoration only, though there were instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions. Two examples of this were civilian test pilots Hanna Reitsch who was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg, who was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, for their actions as pilots during World War II.