WWII NAZI GERMAN IRON CROSS SPANGE 1ST CLASS WW2

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. 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 Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and two new Spangen, (Bars), for the first and second class awards to be bestowed to recipients of the 1939 Iron Cross who had also been awarded a first or second 1914 Iron Cross during WWI. Originally the first pattern of this award had slightly scalloped tips to the ends of the date bar which was soon replaced with the second pattern award with diagonally angled ends.