Original Items: Only One Available. This is a very rare and sought after "Screw Back" version of the 1939 Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) 1st Class.

This is an excellent example of a WWII Iron Cross First Class 1939, with a Magnetic core, flat design, and rare screw back attachment. It is marked with LDO number L59 on the back under the screw back, which represents Alois Rettenmaier of Schwäbisch-Gmünd. The LDO, was a self-governing organization formed in 1941 which regulated the manufacturing of all German awards. The firm Alois Rettenmaier was partially licensed in the organization, entry number 59.

The Iron Cross is in excellent condition, with the silver plate almost retained completely, now oxidized to a lovely dark patina on the front, with a bit less oxidation on the back. The screw back is mostly bright on the side facing the case, having been protected by it. The black paint on the cross is excellent as well, with minimal crazing and minor flaking on the right side but other major wear. Just a great example in the highly desirable "screw back" iron cross!

The basic design of the WWII crosses is a central cross patee struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1939 under a "mobile" swas (Hook Cross). Second class crosses would have a ring at the top where a ring was attached, and had more markings on the back. The first class award, however, was meant to attach directly to the front of the uniform.

Please note the edge seam for authentication, which is not present on reproductions. Iron crosses were commonly constructed from an iron core sandwiched in a surrounding two part silver frame, normally the seam of these two silver parts is visible around the edge of the cross as is seen on this fine example.

A fantastic "screw back" EKI, in really great shape. We do not see these often!