Militaria Autumn Auction 2022

Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1939 "65"

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Start price: $50

Estimated price: $250 - $300

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Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1939 "65"

Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz II Klasse)

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 were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19th1870 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 Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.

The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat.

1939 pattern, die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction 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.

The cross comes complete with of original ribbed rayon ribbon.

The manufacturer is signed on the "
65" circle:
Klein & Quenzer AG / Idar-Oberstein

Pieces from this manufacturer are known for their matte black finish.

Material frame / core: nickel silver / iron


Height: 44mm


Width: 44mm


Weight: 17,35 g (no ribbon)


Material band ring / eyelet: nickel silver wire

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Shipping from our office in Europe
Condition: As in the attached photos.