Iron Cross first class 1939 Maker Marked L/16

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.

This is the 1939 pattern. Die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction cross with a single piece iron core and two piece alloy frame. The plain reverse of the award has a soldered hinge, a tapered pin and catch all intact. Below the catch is the embossed manufacturer’s code in”L/16″ indicating early manufacture by “Steinhauer & Lück”. The cross comes housed in a wood and pressed cardboard construction issue case with a simulated, black leather covering. The interior of the top lid of the case is lined in white satin which is “LDO” marked. Underlying black padding with cut-out to hold the cross firmly in place.

The cross is in good condition with 95% of the black paint still intact to the Iron core. There is some spots of rust where the paint is missing. Case shows some chafe wear.

Early matching set in good condition!!