German WWI Iron Cross 1st Class 1914-This is a very handsome badge with an unusual screwback style. This is an early vaulted example. The black finish on the iron core is excellent, as is the nicely toned dark silver frame. This has a piece of wool between the badge and the screwback to act as a buffer to the tunic. We believe that this was a double screwback device, and the washer portion is missing, so the screw extends past the screw back device. This is a very interesting setup and one we do not see very often. This is a good looking badge.
History: On March 10th, 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Crosses were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19th, 1870, for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5th, 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1st, 1939, Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The first-class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat and had already been awarded the Iron Cross second class.