Imperial - Iron Class 1st Class by Godet

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German Empire, WWI – Vaulted, Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse 1914 by Gebr. Godet & Co. of Berlin. Reinstituted August 5, 1914, by Emperor Wilhelm II, as the third endowment, the 1st Class Iron Cross was awarded to personnel who had received the 2nd Class Iron Cross and made significant sacrifice during the war. 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 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 pin is maker marked: “Godet Berlin”. The back also features: a soldered-on round wire catch, a soldered-on wide block hinge and coke bottle pin. The back had two pins soldered to the reverse side arms of which one remains. Unusual I know bit look at Previtera's reference, Iron Time and you will see all kinds of set ups on these private purchase crosses. The cross measures 1 11/16 inches wide and tall and suffers a missing side pin and some paint loss. Desirable maker here.