BACKGROUND: On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Cross’s were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19TH 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5TH 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1ST 1939 Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1939 pattern, die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction Pattée style cross with a single piece iron core and a two piece alloy frame. The obverse features an embossed, high relief, central, canted, swastika with the re-institution date, "1939", to the bottom arm. The reverse bottom arm has the embossed original institution date, "1813". The swastika is in nice high relief while the dates are somewhat lower. The medal loop and ribbon suspension ring are both intact. Some pitting/touch up to the core. The ribbon suspension ring is well marked with the stamped manufacturer’s numerical code that appears to be, "24", indicating manufacture by Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller Hanau am Main, (Study Group of the Hanauer Badge Manufacturers Hanau on Main). No ribbon.