German WWII Iron Cross 1st Class-This is a good looking badge. It retains the majority of its black finish, except for what has been deliberately removed from the swastika. The silver frame has toned darkly, which matches the color of the swastika in the center, giving this a great look. The silver finish on the reverse is intact and also nicely toned. The pin is marked “65” for the maker Klein and Quenzer. The pin setup works as intended. This is a handsome badge in very good condition.
History: On March 10th, 1813, Prussian Kaiser 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 Crosses were reinstituted by Kaiser 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 second class.