Imperial Iron Cross by Godet with Spange by Hammer

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Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse 1914 im weißen Band für Nichtkombattanten by Gebr. Godet & Co. of Berlin mitte Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse (Wiederholungsspange) by J. E. Hammer & Sohne of Geringswalde. Reinstituted August 5, 1914, by Emperor Wilhelm II, as the third endowment, the 2nd Class Iron Cross was awarded to personnel who had performed a single meritorious act of bravery in combat, and with a white ribbon if it is not in combat. In WWI, 13,000 Iron Crosses with white ribbons were awarded to non-combatants and 5 million for combatants. From March 16, 1915, the Iron Cross could also be awarded to members of the states allied with Germany. It is a multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of an iron metal base that has been black enamel painted. The frame and back plate are constructed out of a nickel-silver base. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The obverse features a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed “W” (cypher of King Wilhelm I & II), below the royal crown of Prussia (top arm) and above “1914” (lower arm), which is on a black base and surrounded by a silvered ribbed/beaded row and a flat outlying border. The reverse shows a centrally placed three-piece oak leaf and acorn cluster, below “FW” (cypher for King Friedrich Wilhelm III) and a Kings crown and is above “1813”, and is all surrounded by that same border. To the top is a lug, loop and ring that is marked: “G”, which holds 5 ¾ inches of white and black, Third Reich era replacement, ribbon that is sewn together. The award measures 1 11/6 inches wide and tall. The 2nd Class Spange to the Iron Cross 1939 was awarded to individuals who has received the 2nd class Iron Cross in WWI and would have earned the 2nd Class Iron Cross in WWII. It is constructed out of a die struck nickel-silver base that has been silver washed. The obverse of the badge depicts a German national eagle, with out-stretched wings clutching a wreathed swastika within its talons and is above a trapezoid shaped pebbled banner that reads “1939”. The full back reverse retains three of 4 prongs soldered on flat wire tombak prongs. It retains beautiful crisp detail and gorgeous silver wash! It measures approximately 1 1/4 inches wide and tall. Nice!