Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class, by B.H. Mayer
(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 I. Klasse). 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”, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with PKZ code “26” for B.H. Mayer, Pforzheim, measuring 44.28 mm (w) x 44.23 mm (h), weighing 18.0 grams, some oxidation and loss of paint is evident to the core, in addition to distortion of the pinback, in overall very fine condition.

