Germany - Army/Infantry - Badge - Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1914, WW1, Preußen - 20th - early (WW I)

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1914

The order is a contemporary piece manufactured around 1920 as an exhibit.

Multi-part manufacturing. Blackened iron core.

The silver frame with polished edges.

Dimensions 71.5 x 63.1 mm, weight 42 g.

Only minor signs of aging, condition 2.

Extremely rare, a very good specimen for any EK collection; loaned originals are not obtainable.

Stampings on the band ring: crescent, crown, 800. No stampings on the cross itself, just like the original award pieces.

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest Prussian military decoration from 1813 to 1918 and the highest of the German Reich from 1939 to 1945. The Grand Cross was established as the highest class of the Iron Cross on March 10, 1813, by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in Breslau.

In four wars, it was awarded a total of 20 times. During the First World War, the Grand Cross was awarded five times to the following recipients:

Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (December 9, 1916)

Kaiser Wilhelm II. (December 11, 1916)

Field Marshal August von Mackensen (January 9, 1917)

Prince Leopold of Bavaria (March 4, 1918)

Generalfeldmarschall Erich Ludendorff (March 24, 1918).