#60452 Available
WH Iron Cross Second Class 1939 with ribbon
Category:
€ 145,00
Iron Cross Second Class 1939 with ribbon
Original Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse) complete with its correct wartime ribbon. The Iron Cross was one of the most iconic German military decorations and was awarded for acts of bravery in combat or outstanding leadership on the battlefield during the Second World War.
This example shows the classic three-piece construction consisting of a magnetic iron core with a silvered frame. The obverse features the swastika in the center with the date 1939, signifying the reintroduction of the award by Germany at the start of WWII.
The medal is accompanied by the original ribbon in the traditional black, white, and red colors, representing the national colors of Germany during the period. Recipients typically wore the ribbon through the second buttonhole of the tunic after the award ceremony.
Details
* Material: Iron core with silvered frame
* Construction: Three-piece construction
* Obverse: Swastika with date 1939
* Ribbon: Original black, white, and red/orange (early) ribbon included
* Condition: Truly worn condition with lots of patina
Historical Background
The Iron Cross has a long military tradition dating back to 1813, when it was originally established during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia. The decoration was later reintroduced during major conflicts, including 1870, 1914, and again in 1939 at the outbreak of WWII.
The Iron Cross 2nd Class was typically the first level of the decoration awarded for combat bravery, with higher grades including the Iron Cross 1st Class, Knight’s Cross, and its subsequent higher variants.
Collector Notes
The 1939 Iron Cross 2nd Class remains one of the most recognizable and widely collected WWII German decorations. Examples with their original ribbon and honest wartime patina, such as this piece, are particularly desirable among collectors of German militaria.
A classic and historically significant decoration representing combat bravery during WWII, ideal for collectors of German awards and military history.