WWI Imperial German Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse)

WW I Imperial German Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse).

Before the Iron Cross was created in 1813, military medals were strictly divided by social class.

Officers received high-grade gold or silver medals, while ordinary soldiers received nothing or basic, low-tier badges.

King Friedrich Wilhelm III designed the Iron Cross to be awarded solely for bravery and merit, regardless of a person's rank, social status, or aristocratic background.

A frontline private and a high-ranking general could earn the exact same medal.

The Iron Cross was not a permanent medal, it was a temporary award tied to specific conflicts, re-instituted only four times in history, each time bearing a new date on the lower arm.

This 1914 version of the medal marks Germany's entry into World War I.

Because of the unprecedented scale of industrialised total war, this iteration was awarded far more frequently than previous versions.

Roughly 5 million Second Class medals were awarded between 1914 and 1918.

This medal is cold stamped on the upper loop with "WILM", which identifies the manufacturer as the highly prestigious firm of H.R. Wilm based in Berlin.

It is in an overall good condition with its original ribbon.

 The photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. 

 Please examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.