Iron Cross 2nd Class

This is a German Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, or EK2) of the 1939 pattern from World War II.

History

The Iron Cross originated on 10 March 1813, when Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III instituted it as a temporary wartime bravery award during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon. It was re-instituted for later conflicts: 1870 (Franco-Prussian War), 1914 (World War I), and again on 1 September 1939 (the day Germany invaded Poland) by Adolf Hitler as a German national award.

Excellent 3 piece construction unmarked example.