Germany, Third Reich. A First Class Iron Cross 1939

(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 1. Klasse). Instituted on September 1, 1939. (Issued 1939-1945). A cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border, the obverse with a raised central mobile swastika with the re-institution date “1939” in raised numbering on the lower arm, the reverse with a vertical banjo style pinback, a wire catch, and a barrel hinge, marked “L/12” on the reverse for “C.E. Junker, Berlin”, and displaying typical manufacturing characteristics of Junker, such as the overlapping ribs in the right corner of the six o’clock arm, measuring 44.38 mm (w) x 44.43 mm (h), the core on the obverse missing some of its original egg-shell style paint, thus exposing the core, but in overall near very fine condition.