Iron Cross second class 1939.
A maker marked '24' Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller.
Excellent condition, nice core and nicely patinated frame.
The 24 marked crosses are hard to find with a core this nice.
Typical for this maker is the wider frame.
Three parts, magnetic.
Ribbon included.
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The Iron Cross is indisputably the most historically rich and notorious German award. Its long tradition dates back to 1813, when King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia first instituted the order during the War of Liberation against Napoleon. The cross went on to be suspended from the uniforms of admirable German soldiers in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, and again in 1914 for World War I. Through the sacrifice of the men who earned it, its humble but striking design became synonymous with old world German courage and triumph.
In the new world order where Germany was a pariah after World War I, few reminders of past conflicts could be a source of pride. Still, the old silver and black was reminiscent of gallant Prussian warriors, the great victories of the Bismarck era, and the brave soldiers of World War I; the cross has had an unquestionable aura since it was created. With the opening salvos of World War II, Hitler superimposed his chilling political imagery to this aura, evoking the glory of bygone days. With that act, the 1939 Iron Cross, now forever interlaced with the Third Reich, instantly became one of the most visually powerful and recognizable military awards of all time.
