WWI IMPERIAL GERMAN IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS 1914 WW1

1914 pattern die struck three piece iron and alloy construction Patté style cross with a single piece iron core and a two piece silver frame. The obverse of the cross features an embossed, central "W" cipher for King Wilhelm II the re-institution date "1914" to the bottom arm and a King’s crown to the top arm. All three emblems are in nice high relief. The reverse has a solid soldered hinge and vertical pin and catch all intact. Back of the cross is maker marked C.D. 800 indicating the maker Carl Dilenius of Pforzheim in 800 silver. Excellent. The cross was brought back by Tech Sergeant Francis William Fiscus 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 Crosses were re-instituted 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 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 2ND class.