Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class with Case, by Fritz Zimmermann, Dietrich Maerz Collection

(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 I. Klasse mit Etui). Reinstituted 1 September 1939. (1939-1945 issue). 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”, with a block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “6” for maker Fritz Zimmermann, Stuttgart, measuring 44.04 mm (w) x 44.11 mm (h), weighing 17.9 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux black leather exterior, the lid with a silver embossed Cross Pattée, the interior with a white satin-type lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted white velvet medal bed, opening with a functional magnetic metal spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional magnetic metal hinge, unmarked, measuring 68 mm (w) x 68 mm (h) x 22 mm (h), in overall near extremely fine condition.