Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Dedicated to a Veteran of the West African Theatre

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 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 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 barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, bearing an engraved dedication of “OLT. DISTLER, SCHUTZTRUPPE KAMERUN” indicating issue to an Oberleutnant who served with the Schutztruppe in the Cameroon campaign of the West African theatre, otherwise unmarked, measuring 41.76 mm (w) x 42.00 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, loss of finish with consequent surface oxidation is visible to the core, an interesting example dedicated to a veteran of a notable campaign of the First World War in very fine condition.