Original German WWII Iron Cross First Class 1939 by Friedrich Orth of Vienna with Case – EKI Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. This a very good condition example of a WWII Iron Cross First Class 1939, complete with its original case. The award features a Magnetic core, flat design, and straight pin attachment. It is maker marked on the back with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 15 on the top of the pin, which represents Friedrich Orth of Wien (Vienna), Austria.

The medal is in very good condition, showing very little wear, and just the usual oxidation from age and storage. The border of the cross retains very crisp beading, and overall the silver portion of the cross is still quite shiny, with almost no tarnishing. The central cross has complete paint, with no wear or sign of touchups. There are just a few areas near the edge with a bit of checking. The silver on the rear is still very good, and the edges of the cross show no dents or other wear.

The award comes complete in its original presentation case, with the Iron Cross emblem on the lid, and a functional catch on the front. The interior velvet and satin lining is very well retained, though there is definitely wear from age and use. The exterior shows overall wear, as well as some tearing around the edges. It looks to have been exposed to moisture over the years, however it still has a fully functional hinge and press button catch.

The basic design of the WWII crosses is a central cross patee struck from iron 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 (hook cross). 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.