1870 IMPERIAL GERMAN IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS

1870 pattern, die struck, three piece, iron and alloy construction Pattée style cross with a single piece iron core and a two piece silver alloy frame. The obverse of the cross features an embossed, central, "W" cypher for King Wilhelm I, the re-institution date, "1870", to the bottom arm and a King’s crown to the top arm. All three emblems are in nice high relief. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. Extremely Rare. Excellent.On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. 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 Cross’s were reinstituted 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. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. On August 18TH 1895 King Wilhelm II introduced the Jubiläumsspange, (Jubilee Bar), to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the victorious Franco-Prussian War. The Jubilee Bar was intended for all recipients of the 1870 Iron Cross 2ND class but was only manufactured as a private purchase item with the eligible recipients being obliged to purchase it individually. The Jubilee Bar was generally worn suspended on the ribbon of the 1870 Iron Cross 2ND class. After the outbreak of WWI King Wilhelm II decided that recipients of the 1870 Iron Cross 2ND class who were providing exemplary contributions to the current war effort be rewarded with an appropriate emblem and introduced the Wiederholungsspange, (Recognition Bar), on June 4TH 1915, to be worn suspended on the ribbon of the 1870 Iron Cross 2ND class.