Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, with Award Document to Unteroffizier der Reserve Heinrich Hofmann

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 II. Klasse mit Verleihungsurkunde). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with a period original ribbon stitched into a parade format, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crow, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, the suspension loop maker marked “KO” for a widely-document but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.49 mm (w) x 48.44 mm (h), weighing 17.2 grams, in extremely fine condition, accompanied by its award document, constructed of off-white paper with black ink, named to “UNTEROFFIZIER D. R. HEINRICH HOFMANN”, of 9 Kompanie, Reserve Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 71, initially awarded on 24 October 1914 and received in the field on 3 September 1915, featuring the handwritten signature of an unidentified Hauptmann and battalion commander, measuring 21.5 cm (w) x 32.5 cm (h), with creasing and folding evident throughout, in very fine condition.