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This is an authentic German Iron Cross 1st Class instituted in nineteen thirty-nine, representing one of the most iconic and highly recognized military awards from the Second World War era. The piece features a classic three-piece construction consisting of a magnetic iron core enclosed within a silvered or genuine silver frame with a distinctly ribbed inner border. Positioned directly at the center of the cross is an embossed, slanted swastika, while the bottom arm prominently displays the historical year date of nineteen thirty-nine. The black finished surface of the core displays honest signs of age and combat wear in the form of paint loss and minor oxidation spots, which combines beautifully with the natural age patina of the outer frame to give the award a great combat-worn appearance.
The reverse side of the cross has a smooth, bright finish and represents a scarcer, highly collectible screwback configuration instead of the standard vertical pin assembly. The centrally attached threaded post is fully functional and comes complete with its original round backing nut featuring a reeded edge, designed to clamp the award securely and tightly onto a combat tunic. While the piece is not physically stamped with a maker mark, the precise typography of the numbers, the structural detailing of the frame, and the characteristic screwback system definitively attribute this high-grade manufacture to the prestigious workshop of Wächtler and Lange located in Mittweida, known under the official code one hundred.
The Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded strictly for exceptional acts of bravery in the face of the enemy or for outstanding continuous leadership on the battlefield, worn permanently on the lower left breast pocket of the uniform. Screwback variants were particularly favored by panzer crewmen and Luftwaffe pilots because this secure mounting method prevented the medal from getting snagged and lost inside the cramped confines of armored vehicles or fighter cockpits. This particular cross serves as an excellent, textbook example of German wartime craftsmanship, making it a highly desirable addition to any advanced collection of historical World War II military awards.