Original WWII German Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 EK2 with Ribbon

Description

Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939: Overview

An Iron Cross 2nd Class of the 1939 pattern, with its black, white and red ribbon. The silver-coloured frame shows an attractive aged patina with the beaded inner border still visible, the dark core keeps good definition, and both dates, 1939 and 1813, are clearly legible. It has not been polished.

Historical Context

The Iron Cross was instituted in 1813 by King Frederick William III of Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars and reintroduced in 1939 at the start of the Second World War. The 2nd Class was awarded for bravery and military merit and was normally the first grade received. Unlike the 1st Class, worn pinned to the tunic, it hung from a ribbon; in everyday service the ribbon alone was often worn through a buttonhole.

Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939: Description

• Type: Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1939 pattern (EK2)
• Construction: dark central core within a silver-coloured frame with beaded inner border
• Dates: 1939 (obverse, lower arm) and 1813 (reverse)
• Ribbon: black, white and red; worn and frayed, especially at the top and ends
• Maker mark: none, so no maker attribution is made
• Inventory code: INS52

Condition

Natural patina, oxidation and general wear to the frame; surface marks to the core, with the main design details intact. The ribbon shows noticeable age and fraying. No restoration or cleaning is claimed. The photographs show the actual piece and form part of the description.

Provenance

No further provenance is recorded.

Authenticity

Offered as an original period decoration on the basis of construction, finish, dates and wear, which are consistent with each other. As explained in my Iron Cross guide, no single feature is conclusive on its own. Independent examination is available on request.

Further Reading

Before buying an Iron Cross, read my Complete Collector’s Guide to the Iron Cross 1939.

For historical background, see Deutsches Historisches Museum: “Ehrenzeichen”, on the history of German decorations.

Historical Responsibility Notice: this item is offered as a historical artefact for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology.