by Sebastián J. Bianchi

The Iron Cross 1st Class had the same dimensions and identical obverse features as the 2nd Class (44mm by 44mm). Constructed of 3 pieces, the 1st class was a breast badge and therefore the reverse was a solid silvered metal plate with only the attachment mechanism present. For manufacturing process, please see the section in this article bearing that name.

The fastening mode could consist of either a hinged pin and catch, or the privately purchased screw-back system (discussed below in "Variations"). Several styles of the pin and catch attachment existed; one finds "fat bellied" pins, straight pins, and tapered pins. The pin-and-catch mechanism can very often reveal clues as to who manufactured an unmarked cross. Period pins and the catches (which almost always consisted of a classic "c" catch) were sturdy and do not yield to finger pressure.

While most of the Iron Crosses are "flat", some have a slightly convex appearance.

The 1st Class of the Iron Cross was presented more scarcely, and logically held a correspondingly higher level of stature than the second class. In order to receive the Iron Cross 1st Class Heer and Waffen SS men would have to perform three to four further acts of courage from the one that earned him the 2nd Class. The Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine had the following criteria; the award was regularly awarded to U-boat Commanders upon sinking 50,000 tons and to Luftwaffe pilots when they achieved six or seven confirmed kills. Of course these were only guidelines, and a single act of great importance or a long steady career could earn the individual the Cross.

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This "Divisionstagesbefehl" shows 42 soldiers from the 263 I.D. who received the Iron Cross 1st class on 25.1.1944. Signed by Gen.Lt. Werner Richter, D.K.i.G. on 26.Nov.1943 - R.K. on 7.Feb.1944.

Chris Varveris Collection

Iron Cross 1st Class wear

Manufactures

If present the manufacturer's mark is found on either side of the pin, or on the reverse of the cross either at the lower arm or the center. As in the case of the 2nd Class, unmarked crosses are perfectly normal if a little less desired by the average collector.

Below is a database of known makers with photographs. Click on the maker to see photos.

FIRM #	FIRM	LOCATION
1	Deschler & Sohn	Munchen
2	C.E. Juncker	Berlin
3	Wilhelm Deumer	Lüdensched
4	Steinhauer & Lück	Lüdensched
6	Fritz Zimmermann	Stuttgart
7	Paul Meyhauer	Berlin
8	Ferdinand Hoffstadter
11	Grossmann & Co.	Wien
15	Friedrich Orth	Wien
20	C.F. Zimmermann	Pforzheim
25	Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Graveur-Gold-und Silberschemiede-Innungen
26	B. H. Mayer's Kunst-prageanstalt	Pforzheim
52	Gottlieb & Wagner	Ldar/Oberstein
65	Klein & Quenzer A.G.	Idar/Oberstein
100	Rudolf Wachtler & Lange	Mittweida
107	Carl Wild	Hamburg

L/10	Deschler & Sohn	Munchen 9 Wirthstrasse 9
L/11	Wilhelm Deumer	Lüdensched, Postfach 161
L/12	C.E. Junker	Berlin SW 68, Alte Jakobstr. 13
L/13	Paul Meybauer	Berlin SW 68, Alte Jakobstr. 13
L/15	Otto Schickle	Pforzheim
L/16	Steinhauer & Lück	Lüdensched
L/18	D.H. Mayer's, Hofkunstprageanstalt	Pforzheim
L/19	Ferkinand Hoffstatter	Bonn/Rhein Postfach 161
L/50	Gebr. Godet & Co.	Berlin W8 Jagerstr. 19
L/52	C.F. Zimmermann	Pforzheim
L/53	Hymmen & Co.	Lüdensched Karlstr.
L/54	Schauerte & Hohfeld	Lüdensched
L/55	Wachtler & Lange Rudolf	Mittwaida/Sa.
L/56	Funcke & Bruninghaus
L/57	Boerger & Co.	Berlin SO 16 Adalbertstr. 42
L/58	Rudolf Souval
L/59	Alois Rettenmaier	Schwabisch-Gmund Parlerstr. 27

Variations

Screw-back Iron Cross

The "screw-back" types, more scarcely found and thus worth more to the collector, had a protruding threaded shaft that was placed through the tunic. It was held by a round plate that screwed on from behind. Sometimes, a small pin on the reverse of the upper arm was added to keep the Cross from rotating on its axis.

Reverse of a screw-back variation

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This type of cross would have been available for private purchase. Retail outlet was under the control of the LDO, and screw-backs this type of cross were specifically approved in 1941. They had been previously made, and so they were essentially available throughout the war.

Courtesy Gordon Williamson

Below are some makers that have manufactured this variation,

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	L/13 - Paul Meybauer
	L/18 - D. H. Mayer's, Hofkunstprageanstalt
	L/53 C..F. Zimmermann
	L/56 - Luncke & Bruninghaus
	L/58 - Rudolf Souval
	L/59 - Alois Rettenmair
	Unmarked variation

Double Maker Marked

In the case of two makers, C.F. Zimmermann and Steinhauer & Luck , it is possible to find examples with Prasidialkanzlei and LDO markings on them.

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Zimmerman double marked

Steinhauer & Luck double Marked

No Iron, Iron Cross?

This variation of the Iron Cross has its core made from non-magnetic materials, usually brass but also possibly zinc. As with the Second Class, there are estimated to be early production pieces.

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L/19 Brass Iron Cross

Shinkelform Iron Cross

The Shinkelform cross is a rare variation of this class. Like the 2nd class, these were made from the 1914 dies and thus have narrower features, as pictured below.

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Shinkelform Iron Cross 1st Class

Round 3

The obverse of this variation is identical to the one described in the 2nd class. These crosses are also rather scarce.

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Round 3 Iron Cross 1st Class

Cloth

Iron Crosses 1st Class made of cloth did exist during the Third Reich, but they post an extremely difficult challenge to the modern day collector as their authentication is very difficult. Add the fact that you have an abundance of fakes manufactured over the decades, and the challenge is even tougher.

Rare picture (courtesy William Stump) which shows the cloth cross in wear.

Leutnant Bernd Heukemes, Panzergrenadier in the 116th Panzer Division "Windhund" wears an Iron Cross 1st Class in cloth (courtesy Frank H.)

Foreign Made Iron Cross

Both Japan and Spain produced Iron Crosses. Japan did so for German sailors stationed in Tokyo, and these are very rare crosses. .

Germany decorated deserving members of the Spanish Blue Division and the Blue Legion with Iron Crosses. As the swastika was not outlawed in Spain after World War II, Spanish mints continued to produce the crosses unabated for both veteran and collector alike. The Spanish variation vary from well made to very low quality, but can usually be differentiated from it's German counterpart without too great difficulty.

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Japanese Made