The Cross is made from silver and has a blackened iron core. It is vaulted and has two screws attached to the reverse upper and lower cross arm. One screw device missing. The reverse is engraved “4070” and “Adolf Rinker”. The center has a square shaped makers mark stamped into the silver backplate of the cross.

The number engraved on the cross corresponds with that on an accompanying document. The document tis issued by the Society of the Iron Cross of German patriots in America. It reads: “To the support of the survivors of German heroes that gave their life to the Fatherland. Adolf Rinker is appointed a member of the society as he volunteered to donate to ease the pain of the war. Issued during war time, Anna Domini 1914/15.

The document shows facsimile signatures of Christ. Rebhan, who was the President of the Krieger Verein (Veterans Society” in New York City, and quoted on May 12, 1916, in the New York Times: “Christopher Rebhan, President of the Krieger Verein and of a number of other German associations in this city, said last night that if an enemy sought to invade the United States the citizens of German birth would be among the first to answer a call to arms.” followed by the secretary and lastly Dr. Gustav Scholar, (1851-1928), a German-American physician who served as coroner of New York City. He worked for various hospitals, held public health positions, served as a contract surgeon in the U.S. Army in World War I, was examining surgeon for the U.S. Bureau of Pensions, and was active in German-American and civic organizations. 

A very curious document of German American history.