To access all prices, pictures, and descriptions please subscribe to our MILITARIA PRICE GUIDE at www.ratisbons.com/militaria-price-guide. Save 25% when subscribing for one year! Get full access for just 75€!
We are buying single items and entire collections! Call +49 8541 9053699
1939 Iron Cross 1st Class to Hauptmann Willy Schmidt as well as his death card. Rare Schinkel type with magnetic iron center. It comes with the original black paint and looks to be a single-part construction. Slightly period time repaired to the original catch. Schmidt was awarded the EK1 on 24.7.40 so very early. The date perfectly matches! Also, you can see exactly this Schinkel EK1 on his death card!
This item belonged to the grouping of Hauptmann Willy Schmidt who was killed in action on 8.8.41 in Russia. Schmidt was born on 5.12.11 in Kattowitz. He joined the Reichswehr in 1933 (5./I.R.20) and served as a Kompanie leader with Inf.Rgt.63 right until 1941 when he was killed.
Condition
See description
Historical information
NAME
Order of the Iron Cross 1. Class
DATE OF INSTITUTION
1. September 1939 as the second grade of the re-instituted Order of the Iron Cross
AWARD CRITERIA
The Iron Cross was awarded for particular bravery in the face of the enemy and for outstanding merit in troop leadership. The awarding of a higher grade required the previous awarding of the lower grade. Divisional commanders were authorized to award the Iron Cross 1. Class and stocks were kept at divisional level.
MANUFACTURERS
The Iron Cross 1. Class was produced by at least 26 manufacturers, not including variations amongst the individual companies. The crosses can be found either unmarked, with Präsidialkanzlei number (after the end of 1942 / early1943), or with LDO number for private purchase.
AWARD NUMBERS
Accurate numbers are not known but the closest estimation is around 800,000 - 900,000 awarded and most likely double the number produced.
AWARD DOCUMENTS
The division issued the award document in the format A5 in the name of the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht (after mid-1943 only in the name of the Führer) and was signed by the divisional commander.
WEARING METHOD
The cross was worn on the left breast pocket above any Wound Badge and war badges.
.jpg "1939 Iron Cross 1st Class in case - 26 (mint)")
