Germany, Wehrmacht. A I. Class Iron Cross 1939, by Schauerte & Höhfeld, Uncommon Variant
(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 1. Klasse). Re-instituted by A. H. on 1.9.1939. (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 plain, with a slender pinback, a barrel hinge and a flattened round wire catch, matched “L/54” for “Schauerte & Höhfeld” on the reverse - an uncommon variant due to it being marked on the pin, and depicting a slash but otherwise displaying common manufacturing characteristics by this maker such as the steep angle of the number “3”, measuring 43.99 mm (w) x 44.07 mm (h), weighing 15.2 grams, in overall very fine condition.

