Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original German WWII 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class, or Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, displaying the traditional multi-piece construction of a dark central core enclosed within a silver-colored outer frame. The obverse bears the raised swas. at center and the date 1939 on the lower arm, with the characteristic finely ribbed or “beaded” inner border surrounding the core.

Of particular interest, the reverse pin is stamped:

20

This number is associated in established German award-manufacturer references with C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim, one of the firms that manufactured the 1939 Iron Cross. The reverse retains the conventional vertical pinback arrangement, with an upper barrel-type hinge, broad pin, and lower catch.

The cross is in good, substantially service-worn condition, with considerable age and oxidation. The blackened center has suffered extensive finish loss and reddish-brown surface corrosion, particularly across the right and lower portions of the core and around the central emblem. The surrounding frame remains well defined, with the fine inner ribbing still clearly visible, though its original brighter appearance has mellowed to a dark gray-silver patina. The reverse likewise exhibits extensive age toning, oxidation, spotting, scratches, and surface wear. Importantly, the principal pinback hardware remains present and the maker marking is still readily identifiable.

Historical Context

The Iron Cross was one of Germany's longest-established military decorations. It originated in Prussia in 1813, during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleonic France, and was revived for the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and again following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. The decoration was renewed once more on September 1, 1939, at the beginning of the Second World War.

The official 1939 decree initially established four classes: Iron Cross 2nd Class, Iron Cross 1st Class, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, and Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. It stated that the decoration was intended to recognize besondere Tapferkeit vor dem Feinde, or special bravery before the enemy, as well as hervorragende Verdienste in der Truppenführung, meaning outstanding merit in troop leadership. The regulations also stipulated that award of a higher class normally required prior possession of the preceding class.

Although the basic cross pattée form deliberately continued the established Iron Cross tradition, the 1939 version was visually distinguished from its Imperial predecessors. The new obverse incorporated the national swas. at the center and 1939 on the lower arm. The official regulation specifically prescribed these changes while otherwise retaining the general size and form of the earlier decoration.

The two principal classes were also worn differently. The 2nd Class was suspended from a black-white-red ribbon and, after the initial presentation, was commonly represented on the field uniform by its ribbon. The 1st Class, represented by the present example, was a pin-backed breast decoration and was worn without a ribbon on the left side of the chest. This arrangement was expressly established in the wartime regulations and preserved the general method of wear used for the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class.

Qualification for the 1st Class therefore represented a progression within the Iron Cross system rather than simply a different form of the same award. Under the founding regulations, the recipient normally already possessed the Iron Cross 2nd Class before becoming eligible for the 1st Class. Unlike many German combat badges, which were connected with a prescribed number or type of qualifying actions, the Iron Cross was fundamentally an award for distinguished wartime conduct rather than a badge earned automatically through completion of a fixed combat requirement.