Germany, Wehrmacht. A Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Presentation Case, by Gebrüder Godet

(Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes Präsentationssatz). Reinstituted 1 September 1939. (1939-1945 issue). eMedals is pleased to offer an extremely rare and ultra desirable Iron Cross presentation set featuring three decorations, including the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original neck ribbon with three functional metal snap buttons marked “PRYM”, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the suspension ring marked “SILBER” with a LDO code of “21” for maker Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, measuring 48.99 mm (w) x 48.65 mm (h), weighing 31.7 grams, there is evidence of repainting to the core, otherwise in extremely fine condition.

A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse of the pinback marked with an LDO code of “21” for maker Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, measuring 44.54 mm (w) x 44.34 mm (h), weighing 11.4 grams, there is of evidence of repainting to the core, otherwise in extremely fine condition.

An 1939 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with horizontal pinback, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the suspension loop marked with an LDO code of “21” for maker Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, measuring 44.31 mm (w) x 44.46 mm (h), weighing 23.5 grams, in extremely fine condition.

Importantly, accompanied by an ultra rare and highly highly sought after original presentation case, constructed of a wood frame with a faux red leather exterior, the obverse lid with a gold embossed Wehrmacht-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the interior with a white satin lid liner and an intact hinge cover, with a slotted and depressed black velvet medal bed, opening with a functional bronze spring catch with exterior stud release and dual functional magnetic metal hinges, measuring 200 mm (w) x 200 mm (l) x 25 mm (h), there is evidence of cleaning to the lid liner, otherwise in extremely fine condition; accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by Dietrich Maerz, dated 15 January 2014.

Footnote: While receipt of both the Second and First Class Iron Cross was a prerequisite for the awarding of the Knight’s Cross, exceptions were made on a case-by-case basis, with nominees receiving all three awards simultaneously in a special presentation set. This set, which is unlikely to have actually been awarded, is one of very few known examples.