Arbeitsgemeinschaft fr Heeresbedarf in der Graveur- und Ziselierinnung = 23, Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller = 24, Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Graveur- Gold- und Silberschemiedeinnungen = 25, Anton Schenkls Nachf. These marks are researchable. WW2 Iron Cross with photograph of it being worn.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'militariatoday_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_19',700,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-militariatoday_com-narrow-sky-1-0');Rear of the Iron Cross and the back of the photograph, which is also a postcard. A 1939 Iron Cross Second Class iron core un-used from a manufacturer. . manufactured an unmarked cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers . It was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in March 1813 backdated to the birthday of his late wife Queen Louise on 10 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars (EK 1813). Whilst numerous and widely awarded during WW2, they are now becoming much scarcer. Single piece moulded fakes can therefore have paint on the lower inside portions of the silver coloured frames that adjoin the supposed black painted iron core from being painted after moulding. delivered to the Presidential Chancellery of the Fhrer - the Medal slightly lower than the rim. Oszeres, Jan 26, 2010 #23. chris222 recruit. FUR TREUE DIENSTE. On this fake you can see an obvious flaw in the middle and tell it's painted a flat black. EK1 WW1 Iron preferred is only a matter of personal taste - the cross as it would have been received All for free! Item Number: 68669. . . World War II was the first mechanized war, and with the year 1939 on the bottom arm of the cross. When I was a teenager a well renowned dealer said to meAround 5 million Iron crosses were manufactured during WW2, and only 20 million of them are still around today!This of course makes no sense, but the meaning behind it does. Two extremes - an Iron Cross which has As German troops had the custom of actually wearing their awards and decorations into combat (as seen in virtually all wartime images) many soldiers legitimately made private purchases of licensed versions their awarded Crosses for field wear. cross is a rare variation of this class. . 8. (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse) Brought Home By A U.S. A nice Iron Cross 2nd Class / EK2 marked Maker Marked '24'. Two examples of this were civilian test pilots Hanna Reitsch who was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and 1st Class and Melitta Schenk Grfin von Stauffenberg, who was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, for their actions as pilots during World War II. These were highly prized as war trophies and souvenirs by Allied soldiers. gives away that the cross has seen the passing of the years, it gives it that They have continued to increase in value in recent years. As you can see the fake on the left is more than 3 times thicker than the real iron cross. View G6508 Add to Compare. not outlawed in Spain after World War II, Spanish mints continued to variation. Hersteller (Manufacturer) Marking Maker Location A cased Iron Cross First Class by Wilhelm Deumer of Ludenscheld. by a soldier, or one that was perhaps received, worn, and shows its age. These markings can appear in a variety of places and numbers, or combinations of letters and numbers that indicate which supplier made the Cross. Dear collectors! Beware also of 'forum heroes' who enjoy deriding items owned by others, or shooting down items unjustly, and they can occasionally be guilty of pronouncing as fakes genuine items that are of lesser known variants. Makers markings are located on the ribbon ring that is a large ring through a smaller ring--in which through the larger ring--the ribbon for the Iron Cross is put through. and a reverse silver frame. (1). Genuine manufacture has the black painted iron core in the centre, then the silver frame mounted from either side. antique feel. than others. April 1942 Script ford GPW Jeep April 1942 script ford. 100% USA involved the eyelet, which was soldered on by hand to temporarily hold the two This clean example is available from Malcolm Wagner Militaria in the UK. WW2 German Dog Tags & Paperwork for Sale. Please see our. WW2 Pilot Badge. The smooth rear fixing plate isone the more common variations. A 1939 Iron Cross Second Class that has been parade mounted. Zimmermann of Pforzheim. We make no political or revisionist statements whatsoever, merely provide an online platform for military antiques and collectables of all styles. As in the case of the 2nd Class, unmarked crosses are perfectly to find Iron Crosses with partially rusted centers. This award was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (similar medal but with a different ribbon). Awards Affixed with either a pin back or screw back. Iron Cross 1st Class 1939 by Maker 65 - Iron core/magnetic, flat, marked "65" on pin, in very fine condition. Prsidialkanzlei des Fheres must be strictly adhered to. Each different manufacturer was free to stamp their marks on the edge of the medal, but more commonly they would mark the hanging ring, like this example. Overseas rates on request. Most class was devoid of detail except for its year of original institution, 1813, placed on the lower The outer rim of This one is in good condition and has a typical vertical rear fixing pin which is not makers marked. A 1939 Iron Cross First Class marked 65 for Klein & Quenzer. actual details of the core, the Swastika and dates, also vary from maker to They were awarded after the 2nd Class Cross had been earned and this medal does not have a ribbon. First Class German Red Cross Decoration, Type III . Marked, Shinkelform Cross As collectors ourselves, we always want people to enjoy this hobby. 9:30am BST. You are at a gateway to WWII discussion, research, exploration, & analysis. Both were given to soldiers for bravery, as well as other significant acts when in a combat environment.Iron Cross Second Class when worn. Period pins and the catches (which Although it was distributed in great numbers, the superior quality of the crosses manufactured remained consistent. They are also an interesting and elite artefact to collect. each grade are reviewed in their respective sections. Related Auction house trade marks are used on this website under licence from their respective owners. to find examples with Prasidialkanzlei and LDO markings on them. The fastening mode could Wehrmacht-Awards.com Location 19. Be aware though that pristine examples can actually have that 'brand new' look and feel as well. Here are examples of the 1st and 2nd class medals. Forum, A detail view at makers and characteristics of this class, A study of the 1939 Clasps presented to those that had earned the 1914 Iron Cross, click here to read the entire A 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class in original paper envelope of issue. Badges From WW1 or WW2 veterans of the allied forces all wanted to take home this iconic medal and as such, the fascination has been passed onto us as collectors. The construction remained the same with it being built out of 3 pieces and of course the overall quality of production never wavered. If however someone has a pattern of passing on such . Both Japan and Spain produced Iron This is the usual place to find makers marks on the EKII. Many thanks for your help! Remembering, employing, empowering our nation's heroes. First look for any markings on the ring. The Which assertion (if either) is correct will probably never be This, instead of the entire As such, it is always worth either speaking to someone who knows more on the subject, take advice or at the least, buy from a trusted source. Clickhere to see the list of our currentpartner sites. Sadly they are out there. normal if a little less desired by the average collector. On this one you can see a little ko stamped on the top which is a sure sign the cross is real. When the two halves were soldered the Though unmarked, this German WW2 EKI bears all of the hallmarks of the K&Q maker, and is a stunning example retaining 90% of its black finish, with a nice patina around the edges and absolutely no rust or corrosion. an Iron Cross that has maintained its gleaming silver finish through the years Iron Crosses are a fascinating part of WW1 and WW2 History (earlier if you choose to go back to the original Prussian awards). However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. Some makers only made a hand full of Iron Crosses, so in the modern collecting world, they can command a premium. Is it plausible? a small pin All for free! Be the first to know of our latest discoveries and exclusive offers. A 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class maker marked 113 for Aurich. Flags of Valor believes that veterans deserve job opportunities and 'Made in America' matters. (click here to read the entire Awards The medal measures 48mm across the arms. As the originals are very valuable, they are also commonly faked and post-war hybrids or fakes are often quite convincingly passed off as the real thing. MILITARIA COLLECTING (Maria Schenkl) = 27. Some Crosses were made as 'Award Pieces' that would have been issued to the recipient from their Unit upon earning the decoration. are "flat", some have a slightly convex appearance. It has been speculated both that these zinc frames A genuine subject matter expert should be engaged and consulted before contemplating the purchase of a KC. These "veins" are caused by rust forming underneath the bakedfinished. Higher grades of the award wereaccompaniedbyoak leaves, oak leaves with swords and oak leaves with swords and diamonds. an extremely difficult challenge to the modern day collector as their him the 2nd Class. Here are views of the. An Iron Cross First Class 1939 with Case by Wilhelm Deumer $348. When Challenge Coin Company was officially founded in 1995, it was the only military coin design and manufacturing company solely owned by a retired U.S. Could anyone help me to determine its maker ? The Spanish variation vary from well made to very low quality, but can canals which Item Number: 66840. Most reputable traders will happily take an item back if you arent happy with it. opposite halves of the frame were struck separately with dies that yielded a JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. look to them. Another thing that adds value to a medal is when it comes with the box or paper envelope that it was issued in. Not all genuine Iron Crosses are marked. Each maker had their own individual mark or code and that created fractional differences in their construction techniques. Zimmermann Although it This is not true. kills. Crosses. The First Class medal is the more difficult one to find and as only around 300,000 were issued, they have continued to see a steady increase in value. Within these attributes, there is a spectrum of quality A 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class with a badly damaged arm that clearly shows the three pieced construction of an iron core with joined outer frames. To see more on our policy in this regard. around it. The silver plate has a lovely patina, and the black paint on the cross is very good, though worn off the swas and date. Several styles of the pin and catch attachment pictured below. and Steinhauer & Luck , it is possible For dealers with your own website: it couldnt be easier, so get in touch via info@militariatoday.comto express interest, and we will select items from your website to include in our daily posts, and advertise them for free! the manufacturing process went as follows; The first operation, on a blanking die, stamped the shape of the frame into a The iron core was While it is indisputably a rare find, Join in if you dare! crosses have developed an aged look - the collectors' patina. the silver casing gets polished, while the pearly ripped outer rim remains pressure. The previous owner said, that it was an early Grossmann, and before 1942 they were not marked. purchased screw-back system (discussed below in So lets look at some examples of WW1 / WW2 German Iron Crosses for sale in a little more detail. case of the Iron Cross it is particularly important , on history and Photo credit goes to Rocksteady Militaria, IMCS Militaria & Antiquities of the Reich.Boxed WW2 EK1 Iron Cross 1st Class Credit: IMCS Militariaif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'militariatoday_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',550,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-militariatoday_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Rear of WW2 EK1 Iron Cross Credit: Antiquities of the ReichEk2 WW2 German Iron Cross Medal Credit: Rocksteady Militaria. A 1939 Iron Cross First Class marked L/11 for Wilhelm Deumer. Plus then we have a master list of the currently known manufacturer marks from all variations of the medals. As collectors and historians we are always learning more from original documents and research so please be aware there are a few unknowns on the lists. An Iron Cross separated thin sheet of silver. World War II. produce the crosses unabated for both veteran and collector alike. View. process, please see the section Constructed of 3 pieces, the 1st class was a breast badge and This sheet metal Service The core The pin-and-catch mechanism can very often reveal clues as to who Most fakes will not have that nice of detail. The Documents This is another nice example of the same medal, and this one comes with an original photograph/postcard of a soldier in a Pioneer dress uniform proudly displaying the cross being worn. Combat soldiers tended to hold the War Merit Cross in low regard, referring to its wearers as being in 'Iron Cross Training'. Cl.,- W. Deumer $380. 1939 EK1 Screwback by Zimmermann Typical rear of a 1939 EK1 sure back, this one marked L52 for Zimmermann. Collectors / sellers with just one or two items to sell: Send us an email to info@militariatoday.comwith 3-5 clear photos of the item, item description (be as descriptive as possible), location, price and shipping options, and we will shortlist it to be included in upcoming articles. Soldering line section). However, the main changes were the date on the front and the ribbon colour plus of course the swastika being added. war. The manufacturers marking, 25, is stamped on the ribbon suspension ring. area between each of the arms was likewise solid. An iron core may also have traces of rust after over one hundred years - or less, in the case of WW2 examples. . I've got a first class iron cross, an unmarked one. This is always a good sign, and a good thing to have up your sleeve should it subsequently prove to be a cleverly faked item. $275.00 France. More accurate seems the To be awarded after World War II to Germany's 12 greatest war heroes. 95.00 & WW2 German FAITHFUL SERVICE CROSS with enamel. It wouldn't be the first time that even experienced dealers and collectors had fallen for a clever fake of German militaria. This step doesn't work with every cross but can be a sure sign of a real cross. The If these incidence reoccur, I will remove the offending This Ford GPW is an early scripted version it has. The Iron Cross, prized gallantry award and Allied war trophy. This construction technique, which resulted in considerable savings in Iron Cross, , German Eiserne Kreuz, Prussian military decoration instituted in 1813 by Frederick William III for distinguished service in the Prussian War of Liberation. usually be differentiated from it's German counterpart without too great The French Bread Factory. An example of the West German government approved post-war de-nazified 1957 Iron Cross. Awarded with a length of ribbon in the German national colours of black, white and red. The construction remained the same with it being built out of 3 pieces and of course the overall quality of production never wavered. Wehrmacht. In the case of two makers, C.F. G19157 Add to Compare. The 1939 plaque is the type that is cut at 45 degree angles at the ends. This central piece of the award usually Rings are hooked to the Knights Cross, the ribbons are These crosses are also rather scarce. The Here is a list of 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class makers markings. 16th May 2023 9:30am BST frames, or rims, were constructed of polished and lacquered German silver, This protects you in case the item never arrives or the item is not as described. The first class award, however, was meant to attach directly to the front of the uniform. with most Iron Crosses the 1939 version was constructed of three pieces; halves together. Chancellery of the German Reich. Awarded for additional acts of valour to those already awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class. November 2002, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ], [ 24. tougher. Iron Cross maker mark 26 for BH Mayer of Pforzheim, PO Box 72 Mudgeeraba QLD Australia 4213 WW2 Naval Seaplane Pilot Wings by Drago. Approximately 4.3 million Second Class Iron Crosses were issued, so as you can imagine, the number of variants is huge. parts are combined, the rim gets bleached and the iron blackened. A 1939 EK1 Screwback marked L52 for C. F Zimmermann of Pforzheim. from its core. have to perform three to four further acts of courage from the one that earned Discussion in 'WWII General' started by C.Evans, Nov 23, 2002. They were produced with either silver or plated rims and with pin or screw attachments. Cross Higher grades of the award were. as much material to crop off the new method resulted in a 40% reduction of waste, although In the Discussion rim, and should without very few exceptions be parallel with the bottom arm. This would be the case if the wearer had been awarded other medals. logically held a correspondingly higher level of stature than the second class. The There are many fine and highly sought after Crosses that are not marked. Militaria Uniforms The striking of the core was also a two part process - a first strike to No work on your part required at all. The 1st and 2nd Class of the 1939 Iron Cross measured 44mm and were perfectly Browse articles, see items for sale around the world, or check out our worldwide events calendar. Check out reviews, contact sellers, again a reputable seller will happily answer questions. The three sections of the Iron Cross can be seen in this picture. Cl., - marked L/52 20, An LDO Case for Iron Cross 1st Class 1939, Iron Cross First Class 1939 - WWI Style Pin, A 1939 First Class Iron Cross; Screw Back Tpye, A Iron Cross First Class 1939 by Friedrich Orth, A Cased Iron Cross First Class 1939 by Otto Schickle. Uniforms Add the fact that you have an abundance On the obverse, all grades featured a mobile swastika in the center, The highest grade of the Iron Cross Award. It is priced at 325.Front view. It has a ribbed rear fixing plate, which is rarer than the more common plain version. By leaving an Autobid our system will automatically bid on your behalf up to the amount you specify here during the live sale. This list can become very handy. Campaign The black painted Iron Core had its silver frame soldered together over the top of the iron core in two pieces from either side. variation of the Iron Cross has its core made from non-magnetic (Lots 1 to 978), 17th May 2023 9:30am BST During more formal dress occasions the ribbon and medal below it would be worn on the chest in the conventional way. Non magnetic versions were made as cheaper private purchases options for field wear or second pieces by awardees. Because of its 3 piece construction the black part of the cross will normally move around. We see this as a legitimate aspect of militaria research and collecting. Klasse, or EK2 or EKII). Iron Cross 1st class, EKI (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse mit Etui) by Wilhelm Deumer (L/11 maker mark). This is an excellent quality reproduction of the best known award of World War II: the German Iron Cross, or EKI (Eiserne Kreuz I)! War importance or a long steady career could earn the individual the Cross. The center of the cross was not punched out and the metal plate with only the attachment mechanism present. These are of completely different design, having different cores and frames. As one would expect, these have a dull either at the lower arm or the center. therefore the reverse was a solid silvered If you are aware of any manufacturer's that are not on this list, please let me know so that I can add them. Not only are these items increasingly rare and valuable, they are also a lovely small item that can fit into a display frame of cabinet with ease. First look for any markings on the ring. This example available from Regimentalsin the UK shows the screw back fastener. Identifying and buying the right Cross can be a little daunting and even a bit complicated for the newcomer in a number of ways. If you have a social media and/or eBay account, feelfreeto include these in your e-mail aswell. One way to check some crosses for three piece construction is to slide paper between frame and core. Typical rear of a 1939 EK1 sure back, this one marked L52 for Zimmermann. Iron Cross I and Iron Cross II, is created as follows: The rim is made of Excellent Plus. On this one you can see a little ko stamped on the top which is a sure sign the cross is real. these are not as immediately striking they are non-the-less visually powerful; the patina A genuine subject matter expert should be engaged and consulted before contemplating the purchase of a KC. Awards If Once again, either types of fastener could carry the manufacturers own code but they are often found with no makers code at all. They were awarded after the 2nd Class Cross had been earned and this medal does not have a ribbon. Looking at the side profile of the award confirms the correct multi-layer construction. I will be comparing the WW2 iron cross which is a fake to a WW1 iron cross which is real. This assumption, however, has not been documented and has actually If you wish to purchase any item online, we always recommend researching the items authenticity, consulting experts. present the manufacturer's mark is found on either side of the pin, or on the reverse of the cross The least issued and more expensive variant is the pin or screw-back model, known simply to collectors as the Iron CrossFirst Class. More often than not surviving Merit Cross Browse articles, see items for sale around the world, or check out our worldwide events calendar. are exceptions to the core being iron as some Iron Crosses have a non-magnetic (courtesy William Stump) which shows the cloth cross in wear. The Iron Cross was normally a military decoration only, though there were instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions. The Iron Cross is about as iconic and collectable as items come. The swastika on the example you gave was thicker and the date was also different. - Does the silver frame have any black paint on it? This indicates that two sections of the frame have been joined over the top of the iron core. 914-403-1591. War In the course of WW2 militaria collecting and study, museums and private collectors will acquire items of all nationalities, including German. Germany. Manufacturer's Markings on the 1914 2nd Klasse Eiserne Kreuz (Iron Cross) This exhaustive list of 1914 EK2 Manufacturers was put together by my friend Jens. For questions or accessibility help - please call (908) 903-1200. Veteran Certified. (not justifying the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross but having already been awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class) 24,204 (24,190 German, 14 Axis allies) German Cross in Silver Kriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzes in Silber: The roundness of the corners can be For most militaria collectors, they are in the hands of honest dealers to be open with what it is that they are selling. The German Iron Cross issued during WW1 or WW2 is one of the most collected of all war medals and yet they are still reasonably easy to find. We will cover the more expensive and rarer variants in a future article but for now here are the two types that are most commonly available. 9. A nice EK grouping that came with the soldier's documents and photo albums. Rarer than the EK2 and becoming harder to source, especially the screw back variants. these crosses have a look that ranges from beige to almost brownish. The ribbon of the War Merit Cross without Swords 2nd Class could be worn like the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class (through the second buttonhole). The rim was now ready to accept the center core, "blur" to the finish. Cl., - marked "L/52" "20" Much like the WW1 Iron Cross, the WW2 crosses were handed out for the same reasons and in similar numbers. FUR TREUE DIENSTE - genuine. a WW2 Iron cross class 1, maker number 26, for sale Which is in its original box and both in imaculate . List of known 1939 Iron Cross Second class makers and marks Description These maker lists are always a work in progress and are the direct result of collectors bringing new information to the community. The first example you gave wasn't a 1st class Iron Cross - but a Knight's Cross. was then placed on a finishing die, which cropped off all the excess around the shape of the Although all manufacturers had to adhere to strict design features and specifications, very small differences do appear between them. Not all Iron Crosses are makers marked. Not least because these medals are easy to display and small enough to not take up much room. Worn on the left tunic pocket with no ribbon. It is constructed out of a die-struck zinc . An early WW2 EK1 Vaulted Pinback by Meybauer with pin design reminiscent of their WW1 and inter-war versions. the touch. Eagle Order, 2nd Class by Godet. ), or Sedlazek (? . The Shinkelform Service On World War Two iron crosses the edges on the swastika should be very sharp. The vendor states that this particular cross was one of a number of souvenirs brought home to the UK at the end of the war by a member of the Parachute Regiment. do not yield to finger The War Merit Cross without Swords 1st Class was a pin-backed medal worn on the pocket of the tunic. solid iron, painted flat/semi-flat black and then baked to cure the enamel. And finally, especially if you arent sure about the seller, pay on a credit card of via PayPal goods and services (This is often built into sellers website). of copper, zinc and nickel, although a few rare examples may be found made of non-plated zinc frames. It had been put forth for many years that Second Class, there are estimated to be early production pieces. It is worth pointing this out as I have known people suggest any unmarked cross is a copy. An early WW2 EK1 Vaulted Pinback by Meybauer with pin design reminiscent of their WW1 and inter-war versions. (Lots 979 to 1978). The obverse of this A 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class marked 65 for Klein & Quenzer. the tunic. of the medals. German Discussion There is also a rusting phenomenon There are of course innocent dealers who have been fooled with a convincing fake, and then unintentionally passed it on to an unwitting customer. Merit Cross Crosses were replaced by a new set of features centered around the Nazi Swastika. $399.Front view showing the 1939 date.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'militariatoday_com-leader-2','ezslot_7',705,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-militariatoday_com-leader-2-0');Rear view with the screw plate in situ.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'militariatoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',706,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-militariatoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Rear view of the cross with the plate removed. very rare crosses. Iron Watch out for the condescending 'rivet counters' though who may not be as welcoming as they should be to new collectors. 23.40% inc VAT*, 16th May 23 at Joined: Apr 8, 2010 Messages: 1 . November 2002, 03:47 PM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ], http://snyderstreasures.com/images/germanmilitaria/medals/ic/KCIC88MarkedFOA.jpg, http://regimentaldepot.com/TR/TR%20Medals/Iron%20Cross%201st%20Class/3500.htm, http://snyderstreasures.com/images/germanmilitaria/medals/ic/ICFC1939MM7F.jpg, (You must log in or sign up to reply here.