Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross I Class with Case, by Wächtler & Lange, 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”, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the reverse of the pinback marked with LDO code “L55” for maker Wächtler & Lange, Mittweida, measuring 43.99 mm (w) x 43.86 mm (h), weighing 18.6 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux black leather exterior, the interior with a white satin-type lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted off-white doeskin medal bed, opening with a functional magnetic metal spring catch with exterior stud release and a functional magnetic metal hinge, the lid liner bearing a LDO insignia, 68 mm (w) x 68 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.