Cased 1st Class Iron Cross by Rudolf Souval

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

1st Pinback Version - Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse im Etui by Rudolf Souval of Wein. Instituted September 1, 1939, the 1st Class Iron Cross was awarded to those who had received the 2nd Class Iron Cross and preformed 3-5 acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, or actions that were clearly above and beyond the call of duty. 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 that has been silver washed. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The obverse features; a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed mobile swastika and “1939” to the lower arm, which is all on a black base and surrounded by a silvered ribbed/beaded row and a flat outlying border. The fullback reverse displays: a soldered-on flatwire catch (slightly pushed over), soldered-on block hinge and coke bottle pin. Textbook beaded row features. It measures 1 3/4 inches wide and tall. The cross comes housed in its appropriate early issue vaulted case. It is constructed out of a wood and pressed cardboard base that is covered in a simulated black grained leatherette. The vaulted top features a pressed silver foil outline of a 1st Class Iron Cross. The interior lid is lined in white satin and has an underlying pad. The bottom interior of the case is constructed out of a cardboard base that is covered in a pearl fibrous velvet material that outlines a pin, hinge and catch assembly. To the very front is a round plated steel push button and the back features a piano hinge. Both continue to work very well. The case measures 2 11/16 inches wide and deep and 13/16 of an inch thick.