Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Set. This is an impressive named Imperial German WWI medal group housed within a fitted presentation case marked VON BLOMBERG in gold lettering. The group consists of a 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class, a four-place medal bar combining German and Hungarian awards, and a black Imperial German Wound Badge. The fitted case retains individual recesses for each decoration and measures approximately 13¼” x 4¾” x 1½”.

The awards indicate that their recipient was a decorated WWI combat veteran with at least 20 years of qualifying Prussian military service. The later Combatant Honor Cross and Hungarian World War Commemorative Medal show that the group was assembled or updated after WWI.

The case shows very heavy wear, with oxidation staining from the heavy wear of the medals, particularly the Iron Cross 1st Class. There are well-crafted grooves in the velvet for the placement of each of the medals.

The Iron Cross 1st Class has some heavy oxidation as shown along the edges, but the black matte enamel finish in the center cross is mostly retained. Some of the oxidation has stained the velvet and white plush lining of the case as shown. The rear of the award has a pin that appears to be soldered on with brass, stamped ‘5’ on the underside of the pin itself. We could not identify this to a maker during the Imperial German period. There is some tarnishing to the rear as well.

The four place medal bar consists of:

- Imperial German WWI Iron Cross 1914 2nd Class Medal
- Imperial German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Swords (for combat)
- Imperial German 20 Years Long Service Medal
- Austro-Hungarian WWI Pro Deo et Patria Military Medal 1914 1918 for Combatants

Below is an explanation of each medal in detail:

German WWI Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class with Ribbon:
Established by Frederick William in 1813 for gallantry in action, the decoration was revived several times for later conflicts. The bulk of the issues are divided into 1st and 2nd class versions, but a rare and superior 'Grand Cross' was also awarded for successful field commanders. During WW1 the lower decoration was freely awarded with 5½ million second class types issued. Originally, the Iron Cross was an award of the Kingdom of Prussia, however given Prussia's pre-eminent place in the German Empire formed in 1871, it became an award for all of Germany.

The basic design of the WW1 crosses is a central Tatzenkreuz (cross pattée) struck from iron and mounted in a silver frame which has a raised crenulated decorative border. The obverse of the cross bears the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram. Reverse bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath - the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. Suspension for second-class types is by means of a ring, and frequently this ring bears a maker's stamp. Please examine 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.

- Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat):
The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of NSDAP Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or NSDAP Party organization.

- Imperial German Prussian 1st Class Long Service Cross for 20 Years: Instituted July 4, 1913. A straight-armed cross pate constructed of German silver, the brass obverse center bears the Prussian FWR cypher, the reverse bears “XX” (for 20 years of service)

- Austro- Hungarian WWI Pro Deo et Patria Military Medal 1914-1918: Hungary (Austro-hungarian Empire): Hungarian WWI Commemorative Combatant's military medal PRO DEO ET PATRIA (for God and Country). Award for the participation in the Great War. The medal was instituted in 1929. It is mounted on the correct red white and green ribbon, though the green has faded almost completely to yellow. It has the crossed swords on the ribbon, indicating it was awarded to a Combatant in the war.

The medal bar retains a long brass securing pin with a red felt backing in great condition. There is loss of finish along the outer cross edge of the Iron Cross, but the other medals are near perfect.

The final piece in the case is an Imperial German WWI Wound Badge 3rd Class in Black. The black finish has worn off heavily with about 60% retained. It is a hollow-back example with a pin that is now quite oxidized, so it doesn’t fit into the catch currently. Some of the finish has worn onto the white plush under the lid.

The case itself retains its two latches, and the two pieces of the case are still well-connected, with two small metal hinges to the back. One of the hinges is still embedded within the leather, but the other is missing the leather covering and does feel a small bit loose. It is still solid, however. The case’s finish shows very heavy wear, but the gold lettering VON BLOMBERG is still legible.

The 1914 Iron Crosses, combatant Honor Cross, 20-year Prussian service decoration, Hungarian combatant medal, and black Wound Badge together present the record of a career soldier who served during WWI and later received interwar commemorative recognition. The worn fitted case and surviving VON BLOMBERG inscription provide a compelling named context, although further documentary research is required before the group can be connected to a specific member of that family.