WWII NAZI GERMAN CASED SPANGE TO THE IRON CROSS

Nicely detailed, die struck, second pattern, frosted nickel/silver plated, alloy award in the form of a national eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an oak-leaf wreath which encompasses a canted swastika positioned above a horizontal, trapezoidal, date bar with diagonally angled ends and the embossed institution date, "1939". The award shows nice detailing including feathering to the eagles wings and a subtly textured background field to the swastika and the date bar. The eagle’s wingspan is roughly, 43mm from tip to tip, and the award is roughly, 30mm tall. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. The award comes housed in its original roughly, 70mm square, 20mm thick, wood and pressed cardboard construction issue case with a simulated, black, grained leather covering. The top of the case has an impressed, silvered likeness of the award to the center. The fold back top lid has a magnetic staggered bar hinge to the reverse and a magnetic spring activated closure button to the obverse both intact. The interior of the case has a black flocking covering to the bottom with a slotted recess to secure the award in place and the interior top lid has a white satin lining. Excellent. On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally 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. On September 1ST 1939