Mint - Case & Carton - 1st Class Spange by Mayer

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Iron Cross Series > 1st Class Spange

Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse (Wiederholungsspange) 1939 im Etui und Karton-Etui by B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim. Instituted September 1, 1939, the 1st Class Spange to the Iron Cross 1939 was awarded to those who has already received the Imperial 1st class Iron Cross and earned the 1st class Iron Cross again in WWII. The award is constructed out of a die-struck nickel-silver base that has been silver washed with polished highlights and lacquered. The obverse features a National open winged eagle clutching a wreathed swastika within its talons, above a trapezoid shaped bannered “1939”. The fullback reverse has a soldered-on barrel hinge, soldered-on rectangular wire catch and straight pin. All of the components are non-magnetic and continue to work well. It measures 1 ¾ inches wide by 1 ¼ inches tall. The award comes housed in its appropriate issue case. The case is constructed out of wood and pressed cardboard covered in a simulated grained black leatherette. The top features a pressed silver foil 1st class spange emblem. To the front is a rectangular spring loaded, steel closure button. It is having the slightest oxidization. To the back is a staggered, internal bar hinge covered by the leatherette. The hinge and the closure button continue to function well. The interior top lid is lined in pearl satin and has an underlying pad. The interior satin hinge is ever so slightly torn. The bottom interior of the case is made of pressed cardboard base that is covered in a black fibrous felt and outlines the pin, hinge and catch assembly. It measures 2 3/4 inches wide and long by ¾ of an inch thick. The case is protected by its original issue carton box. The carton is constructed out of a pressed cardboard that has been glued together and finished in a lacquered gloss. The top of the box reads: “Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse” (Spange for the Iron Cross 1st Class) and “Nur von Befiehenen zu öffnen” (Only to be opened by connoisseurs), within a rectangular lined border. The edge reads: “B.H. Mayer, Pforzheim”. The pressure points are ever so slightly torn. All of the tabs remain. It is slightly larger than the case. An amazing unissued assembly. The nicest example we have owned to date.