History of the Iron Cross

History of the Iron Cross.
It's design came from the mists of antiquity in German tradition, probably being patterned upon the Black Cross adopted by German Crusaders between 1074 and 1270.
	Iron Cross. Originally created in 1813 by King Fredrick III during Prussia's period of 'blood and iron' - their struggle for survival against Napoleon. It was intended to replace other traditional awards during times of war, such as the Order of the Red Eagle or the Pour le Mèrite (known as the Blue Max during WW1). In practice, all other medals were issued as well as the Iron Cross. All 1813 medals had the upper central letters "FW" for Frederick III (Friedrich Wilhelm) The Iron Cross was re-issued during the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71). All 1870/71 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm I It was revived for the 1914-18 war all 1914/18 medals have the central letter "W" for Wilhelm II Hitler (who had been awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in WW1) reintroduced it in WW2 All 1939/45 medals have the swastika in the central position. In 1957 the banned "nazi" Iron Crosses were re-issued in a de-nazified version.

The Iron Cross is usually made in 3 pieces. An iron core (magnetic) with a front and back edging or frame made usually from "silver", an alloy of copper zinc & nickel. Sometimes zinc only was used. Different amounts of metals in the alloy gave different colours to the frame. Occasionally manufacturers used brass or other metals as the core but the practice was stopped. Those with a brass core took on a "golden" look when the black baked enamel coating wore off.

Napoleonic Wars

Iron Cross 2nd Class (1813)	Iron Cross 1st Class (1813)

Grand Cross to the Iron Cross (1813)

Star of the Grand Cross to the Iron Cross (1813) (The Blücher Star)

One Star to the 1813 Grand Cross was awarded to Generalfeldmarschall Blücher, for his part in the victory at Waterloo.

Franco-Prussian War of 1870

The 1870 Iron Cross was altered to commemorate the recent victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War.

The original medal face, with the 1813 date was retained, but it became the reverse side.

The front of the 1870 medal had a crown in the upper arm, the Royal Cipher "W" in the center, and 1870 in the lower arm.

The Grand Cross was awarded to nine individuals in 1870, including one for Kaiser Wilhelm I.

The Star to the Grand Cross of 1870 was not issued.

1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class with clasp.
This clasp (or "Spange" as they are called) was for anyone that was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class during WW1 who already held the 1870 Iron Cross 2nd Class.
Due to the difference in years and the fact that anyone doing so would most likely be in their 60's - there were very few of these awarded. I believe somewhere around only 1500 to 1800 were awarded.

Iron Cross 2nd Class (1870)

Shown with 25 years service clasp (left)

Shown (right) with non-combatants ribbon

Iron Cross 1st Class (1870)

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1870)

The 25 year Oak-leaf device issued to be worn on the ribbon of the 1870 Iron Cross (shown oversize).

World War 1

On 5th August 1914 , Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia, re-established the medal.


Obverse, Iron Cross 1914, 2nd Class	Reverse of 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class

The 1st & 2nd Classes of Iron Cross was awarded without regard for nationality or social class to combatants for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills.

The 1st Class was worn on the left breast, either sewn or pinned on.

The 2nd Class was suspended from a black & white ribbon in Parade Dress and in Barracks Dress just the ribbon was worn. See photo (right) for the way that the 2 awards were normally worn.

Iron Cross of 1914/18 War REVERSE of medals below

As in 1870 the original face (obverse) was retained but as the reverse of the medal. This was done to provide a link with the history of the medal

During the First World War Germany awarded over five million of these medals to members of the armed forces:
- Star of the Grand Cross (1)
- Grand Cross (5),
- First Class (288,000) and
- Second Class (see left) (5,200,000).

Worn suspended from a black & white ribbon. The second class cross was usually only worn in dress uniform - at all other times it was represented by its ribbon looped through the second buttonhole of the tunic.

A non-combatant version was also issued, it's ribbon was white with two black edge strips.

In some rare circumstances the insignia of the Iron Cross was made in the bullion style and method and was sewn to the tunic.

This is a 1914 cloth version.

Iron Cross 1st Class WW1

A medal worn on the left chest and attached by pin fastener or 2 loops to be sewn on.

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The Grand Cross was of the same design, but physically larger and worn at the neck. The Grand Cross of 1914 was awarded only to 5 people
- Kaiser Wilhelm II,
- Generalfeldmarshall von Hindenburg,
- General Ludendorf,
- Generalfeldmarshall Prince Leopold of Bavaria, and
- Generalfeldmarshall von Mackensen.

Hindenburg in his dress uniform with several medals. He has the Pour Le Merite (Blue Max) suspended from his neck.

He is also wearing the 1914 Iron Cross, 1st Class on his left breast pocket, and

the Iron Cross, 2nd Class ribbon in the top buttonhole of his tunic.

The Star of The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (WW1)

In 1916, the grand cross was augmented with a breast star, which was bestowed upon only one recipient in WW1- Field Marshall Von Hindenburg. (see below)
- Only one Star to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross had ever been previously awarded. It was to Generalfeldmarschall Blücher, for his part in the victory at Waterloo.

Worn as a breast badge.

Hindenburg's full name was Hans Anton von Hindenburg und Beneckendorff. He fought in the Austro-Prussian War (1866), and in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). In 1914 he became the commander-in-chief of the German armies in the East. In 1925, he succeeded German President Freidrich Ebert and served as President of Germany until 1934.

Unidentified items relating to the Iron Cross. If you know please Email




Iron Cross medal ribbon WW1	Patriotic civilian German 1914-18 Iron Cross Badge, w/ pennant saying "Gott Mit Uns" and "In Treue Fest". Reverse marked 800 silver.

It was common for men who had been awarded the Iron Cross to wear a ring that indicated the fact.

It was common in Germany to produce items of everyday use with a patriotic tone.

Hence the 2 paper weights shown left made in the Iron Cross design with all dates shown.

Equivalents to Iron Cross	Many Germanic States, Duchies & Principalities issued medals in their own right that were considered the equivalent of the Iron Cross

above FRIEDRICH AUGUST CROSS 1st CLASS - OLDENBURG. This decoration is the Iron Cross 1st Class equivalent from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. It has a solid black exterior.
right FRIEDRICH AUGUST CROSS 2nd CLASS - OLDENBURG. This is the Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalent from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. It is a black cross suspended from a blue and red ribbon.

WAR SERVICE CROSS 1st CLASS - BRAUNSCHWEIG. This is the Iron Cross 1st Class equivalent from the Duchy of Braunschweig. It is similar in size to the Iron Cross but has a bronze tone to it.

This is a German Red Cross badge or medal in the shape of the Iron Cross dated 1914
	WAR SERVICE CROSS 2nd CLASS FOR COMBATANTS - LIPPE-DETMOLD. This is the Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalent for Lippe-Detmold. The cross is gilt-toned and sports the well-known rose for Lippe-Detmold. The correct ribbon for a combatant is in place.