Original OUTSTANDING WWII German CASED 1939 IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS, 1939. (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse) Certified

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Original WWII German CASED 1939 IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS, 1939. (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse) Brought Home By A U.S. Soldier Certified. 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 re-instituted 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 re-instituted 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 2ND class. Die struck, three piece, iron and nickel/silver plated alloy construction Patté style cross with a single piece iron core and a two piece alloy frame. The obverse of the award features an embossed, central, canted swastika with the re-institution date, “1939”, to the bottom arm. The swastika is in nice high relief while the date is somewhat lower. With straight tapered pinback.  (see photos) The cross comes housed in a 70mm square, 22mm thick, wood and pressed cardboard construction issue case with a simulated, grained, black leather covering. The top of the case has an impressed, silvered outline of an Iron Cross to the center. The fold back top lid has  internal bar hinge to the reverse and a magnetic, spring loaded, closure button to the obverse. Both the hinge and the closure button still function. The interior of the top lid of the case is lined in white satin with an underlying padding. In overall good condition with storage and use  wear to the box (see photo) The medal is in very nice condition with some age patina.  USED EXAMPLE! Don’t miss this! Great looking Iron Cross, one of the classic German Medals! Rare in the case! OUTSTANDING!