Iron Cross 1939 1st Class
The Iron Cross was renewed on 1 September 1939 by Adolf Hitler as a war prize and expanded to include the stage of the Knight's Cross. This took up the position of the Prussian Pour le Merite. Knight's Cross with various increases in the course of the war have been introduced, such as oak leaves, swords, oak leaves with swords, diamonds and gilded oak leaves with swords and diamonds. The Iron Cross of 1939 words from a current 4 classes: Grand Cross, Knight's Cross (with its elevations), 1st class and 2nd class. In contrast to the original Prussian award, was awarded the Iron Cross in 1939 another band and was only given to fighters. The crosses were in production a little thicker and the frames were made of silver and non-ferrous metals. A characteristic feature is that the first crosses have a silver frame that is slightly narrower than the later-made silver-plated frames. These are often referred to as crosses in Schinkel form and the crosses are from the World War 1 are very similar. (Except for the internal cross) The interior crosses were made of iron or many of blackened ferrous metal. There are crosses with and without manufacturer's designation. When Cross 1st Class usually be found on the needle at the Cross 2nd class as before. On the band or ring on the eye The Cross 1st Class was manufactured in flat or curved shape with a needle or with screw back. The list of manufacturers is coded. Crosses with names of the LDO - Power Community of the Teutonic Order Manufacturers - consist of a - L - and a number of orders with manufacturers name LDO were intended for private sale. Crosses are marked only with a number, is the Presidential Awards, and were used for ceremonies.
Known manufacturers of the Iron Cross 1st Class are:
Presidential: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 20, 25, 26, 52, 65, 100 and 107
LDO numbers: L/10, L/11, L/12, L/13, L/15, L/16, L/18, L/19, L/50, L/52, L/53, L / 54, L/55, L/56, L/57, L/58, L/59 L/68 and L/73
The cross is made of a silver (including silver plated) border and silver back, this soldered. The front side of the frame has a raised, inner, stepped edge 2 times, of which the inner edge is semi-circular and transverse fine hatched. In between the inner cross of blackened iron (magnetic). It also crosses inside were made from non-ferrous metal.
On the back of a pin or screw back for attachment. The manufacturer name is located on the back or needle. Crosses without manufacturers have also been awarded.
Front:
Centered on the iron core, the inclined swastika.
The lower cross arm the year - 1939 -
Back:
Smooth with a needle or screw back with and without manufacturer's designation
