GERMAN 1914 IRON CROSS Second Class.
Original 3 piece construction, comprising a two piece silver frame surrounding the black, central magnetic iron centre
With top suspension loop & ribbon ring bearing an indistinct maker's mark
Reverse: Dated '1813' (when this Prussian award was first instituted), with 3 oak leaves in the centre plus the crown and 'FW' of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia
Obverse: Dated '1914' (when this award was re-instituted), plus the crown and 'W' of Kaiser Wilhelm II
Note: Kaiser Wilhelm II re-authorized the Iron Cross on 5th August 1914 at the start of World War I
Originally the Iron Cross was an award of the Kingdom of Prussia, but because of Prussia's pre-eminent place in the German Empire (only formed in 1871) the Iron Cross tended to be treated as a generic German decoration
Condition: On original sewn ribbon. Oakleaves on reverse lightly rusted, VF
