Germany, Imperial. A Pair of 1914 Iron Crosses, II and I Class

(Eiserne Kreuze 1914). A pair of 1914 Iron Crosses, including:

1. A II Class award, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, 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 crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, the suspension loop maker marked “CD” for Carl Dillenius, Pforzheim, and with stamped with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 43.20 mm (w) x 47.93 mm (h), weighing 18.3 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. A I Class award, 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 initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a wide block hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked “KO” for a widely-document but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.02 mm (w) x 43.00 mm (h), weighing 16.6 grams, minor loss of finish is visible to the core and the frame shows evidence of polishing, in better than very fine condition.