1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class – Marked "M"

Original Prussian military decoration Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse) reinstituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1914.
Classic three-piece construction featuring a magnetic blackened iron core and a silvered frame with distinct high ribbing.
The suspension ring is clearly stamped with the manufacturer's mark "M" identifying the specific production workshop.
The obverse features the central letter "W" (Wilhelm II) topped with the Prussian crown and the date 1914 on the lower arm.
The reverse displays the year 1813 (original institution date) along with oak leaf clusters and the royal initials FW with a crown.
The item retains its natural aged patina on the silvered frame and includes a fragment of the original black and white Prussian ribbon.
This decoration is an icon of European military phaleristics and is a fundamental piece for any collection of Great War militaria.