German WWII 1939 Iron Cross Screw Back 1st Class-This is the screw back variant and is a fine original example. There is finish missing in a few spots on the obverse of the iron core. Please take a look at the photos. Below you can see the brass core. The frame is very nicely toned. The round backing plate in place. This disc is marked in raised lettering “L/58” which is the LDO code of the firm of Rudolf Souval in Vienna. This is a great example of a screw back variant.
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