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 first class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat, and had already been awarded the Iron Cross 2ND class. Originally when the Iron Cross first class was issued it came housed in an issue presentation case. Due to material shortages later in the war the presentation case was discontinued and the award was most commonly issued in a paper envelope.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 70mm square, 20mm thick, wood and pressed cardboard construction issue case with a simulated black grained leather covering. The top of the case has an impressed, silver outline of an Iron Cross to the center. The fold back top lid has a magnetic staggered bar hinge to the reverse and a spring activated closure button to the obverse both intact. The interior of the case has a white velvet covering to the bottom with a slotted recess to secure the award in place.