Reproduction of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1939 (Großkreuz).
With complete ribbon for wearing around the neck.
High-quality reproduction, with silver “800” marking.
The second photo shows the difference in size between the Ritterkreuz and Großkreuz.
Dimensions of the Ritterkreuz: 4.7 cm x 4.7 cm.
Dimensions of the Großkreuz: 6.2 cm x 6.2 cm.
High-quality handcrafted production.
Made in the Philippines.
Registered postage costs included in the price.
The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a Prussian, then German, military wartime decoration, created in three classes by King Frederick William III of Prussia on March 10, 1813 in Breslau during the Napoleonic Wars. The first Iron Cross was given posthumously by Frederick William III to his wife Louise.
The foundation of the Iron Cross was renewed by King William I of Prussia with the outbreak of the Franco-German War on July 19, 1870.
At the outbreak of the First World War, Wilhelm II renewed the award on August 5, 1914. In his capacity as German Emperor, he made the Iron Cross a quasi-German order through widespread distribution.
With its fourth foundation at the outbreak of the Second World War by National Socialist Chancellor Adolf Hitler, the Iron Cross officially became a German award on September 1, 1939, initially to be awarded in four classes.
The military decoration of the Iron Cross was designed by the neo-classical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It comprises four symmetrical flared points, traditionally made of steel (after 1980, zinc and aluminum). The symbolism of the decoration is rooted in that of the black cross pattee of the Teutonic Knights and the Knights Templar. It was presented at the top of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin at the time of German reunification.
Like the Légion d'Honneur created by Napoleon, the Iron Cross, one of Germany's highest military honors since 1813, could be awarded regardless of rank or social category, which contributed to its popularity. However, the majority of recipients belonged to the officer corps and the highest classes of society. At the same level of prestige was only the Order “Pour le Mérite” (for the military until 1918), which was awarded only to officers, and the Prussian Order of the “Black Eagle”, awarded rarely.
From 1813 to 1918, three classes were distinguished:
- the Iron Cross 2nd class (with ribbon) ;
- Iron Cross 1st class (with clasp);
- the Grand Cross (Grosskreuz) of the Iron Cross.
- Historical background -
The Iron Cross with black ribbon was created in 1813 after the Russian campaign to reward Prussian soldiers engaged in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte's French Empire.
For non-combatants, there was a version with a white ribbon (as in 1870 and 1914). The iron cross was then decorated with oak leaves in the center, the number “1813” at the bottom and the initials of Frederick William (FW) at the top, all in relief.
1866 - During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the decoration was not awarded.
1870 - The Iron Cross was reinstated for the first time on July 19, 1870 by Wilhelm I during the Franco-Prussian War, to reward military bravery. The original ornamental motif was retained on the reverse, while the front featured a crown at the top, the number “1870” at the bottom and a “W” for Wilhelm.
1914-1918 - The Iron Cross was reintroduced a second time on August 5, 1914 by Wilhelm II during the First World War. The original ornamental motif was retained on the reverse, while the front was embossed with a crown at the top, the number “1914” at the bottom and a “W” for Wilhelm. The class was also introduced for non-combatants (the ribbon colors are reversed). The decoration lost some of its prestige during this conflict, as it was awarded around 5 million times for the 2nd class and 218,000 times for the first class.
1939-1945 - Adolf Hitler had been awarded the Iron Cross in 1918: he wore it on his uniform and reinstated the award on September 1, 1939, instituting four levels:
- iron cross 2nd class ;
- iron cross 1st class ;
- knight's cross of the iron cross ;
- grand cross of the iron cross.
On the reverse of the medal, only the number “1813” appeared at the bottom, while the front featured a swastika in the center and the number 1939 at the bottom. The ribbon was the color of the Reich, black, white and red. As a result of this intensive use of Nazi symbols by the Hitler regime over many years, the black iron cross is still on the list of symbols regularly used by neo-Nazi groups.
When the law re-established the 2nd and 1st class crosses in 1939, it also created a new type of badge, the “Spangen” (clasp), for personnel awarded the ‘1939’ Iron Cross who already held the “1914” Iron Cross. In this case, the badge is attached to the ribbon of the Iron Cross “1914” for the 2nd class model or, in the case of the Iron Cross 1st class, to the chest above the Iron Cross 1st class “1914”.
It should also be noted that the Iron Cross 2nd class is only worn “en grand” (ribbon + badge) on the day it is awarded. Thereafter, the recipient wears only the ribbon in the buttonhole or on the ribbon bar.
The award of the “1939” Iron Cross will not be limited by age or sex, or even by nationality.
The law of September 1, 1939 was amended three times by ordinances instituting four intermediate classes between the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the Grand Cross:
- knight's cross with oak leaves, June 3, 1940;
- Knight's cross with oak leaves and swords; and
- knight's cross with oak leaves, glaives and brilliants, October 4, 1941;
- knight's cross with oak leaves and gold and brilliant swords, December 29, 1944.
A new dignity was to be added, to be created by Hitler once the conflict had been won by Germany: the star of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Iron Cross.
As for the number of Iron Crosses awarded between 1939 and 1945, the following figures have been put forward:
- approx. 2,300,000 for the Iron Cross 2nd class (including 39 women, mainly nurses including Ilse Schulz, Grete Fock, and Elfriede Wnuk ;
- approx. 300,000 for the 1st Class Iron Cross (including just one woman, Flugkapitän Hanna Reitsch);
- 7,313 for the Knight's Cross;
- 883 for the knight's cross with oak leaves;
- 159 for the knight's cross with oak leaves and swords;
- 27 for the knight's cross with oak leaves, swords and brilliants (the first was awarded to fighter pilot Werner Mölders in 1941 for his hundredth victory);
- 1 (Hans-Ulrich Rudel, Stuka pilot) for the knight's cross with oak leaves, gold swords and brilliants, instituted by Hitler on December 29, 1944 as the Third Reich's highest combat award; he planned to award a total of twelve;
- 1 (Hermann Göring) for the Grand Cross of the Order of the Iron Cross 1939: re-established by Hitler on September 1, 1939, to reward Göring for Luftwaffe actions during the Battle of France. The Reichsmarschall decided not to wear the decoration after the debacle of the Battle of Britain and the disaster of Stalingrad. The original badge was lost when his house was bombed.
