*German, WW1, Iron Cross 1914-18 2nd Class and Imperial Hindenburg (Honour) Cross – maker marked PSL*
WWI Iron Cross Medal Group – Including Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 with and Imperial Hindenburg Cross for Combatants (bronze gilt on iron, maker marked PSL – Paul Schulze & Co Lubeck). Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons and surface wear in good condition.
The award of the 1914 Iron Cross, 2nd Class, held significant prominence in World War I Germany. Its’ historical roots trace back to 1813, initiated by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia. Reinstated by King Wilhelm I on July 19th, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, and revived once more on August 5th, 1914, by King Wilhelm II for WWI service, the Iron Cross maintained a lasting legacy.
This medal takes the form of a black cross pattée within a silver frame. The obverse displays the Royal Cypher ‘W’ (representing King Wilhelm I) with the Imperial crown above and the date ‘1914’ below. On the reverse, there is a crowned ‘FW’ (Friedrich Wilhelm III) on the top arm, and the inception date, 1813, on the bottom arm. The intersection features a spray of oak leaves and two acorns. The cross is accompanied by a black ribbon adorned with white stripes near each edge. Suspension for 2nd Class types is by means of a ring.
The Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the Third Reich, in 1934, and was awarded to the participants of the WW1 and in posthumous cases to their Parents or Widows. A total 8,041,414 of medals were awarded:
for combatants 6,202,883
for non-combatants 1,120,449
for widows 345,132
for parents 372,950
*Condition*
These medals are in excellent condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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