**SOLD**

Offered is an original German First World War made 1870 Iron Cross 1st Class. 42.5 mm wide white metal cross pattée with a blackened cross pattée (service wear to face of cross arms) within a hatched border imposed; the face with a central ‘W’ (for Wilhelm), a crown above, the date ‘1870’ below; the reverse with a pin for wear to base of hook. Cross is a good original piece, having some of the silver frosting remaining overall, with nice rounded cross arms tips.  These First World War made pieces were necessary for those veterans who had won the Iron Cross 1st Class during the Franco Prussian War of 1870 and needed either a replacement or spare cross for wear, these being generally senior officer's of the Germany Army or members of the Aristocracy who had need to wear their crosses as part of their uniform.

The Iron Cross was instituted on 10 March 1813 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia during the War of Liberation against the Napoleonic French forces. It was reinstated in 1870-1871 for the Franco-Prussian War and again in 1914 for World War I. It is awarded for bravery. In spite of its iconic image and fame, it has always been made of modest materials and issued in relatively large numbers. It was designed by the neo-classical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and reflects the cross of the Teutonic Knights in the late Middle Ages which was also the emblem of Frederick the Great.