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Typology of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
 

Some people might be wondering finding information about this III. Reich award on my pages, but during 15 years of collecting orders, decorations and medals I certainly came by an uncountable number of different pieces. 

Being ask about this topic almost daily, I finally want to make some information easy accessible for everyone interested in the highest 1939 Iron Cross grade, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

I won't tell you anything about the history, there are may publications, book and web pages, but will give you like I did it with the Prussian Pour le Mérite a pictorial overview about most of the original pieces made before 1945. I only will picture the top part of a Knight's Cross to focus on the helpful details when it comes down to pointing out the real ones. 

I am still looking for some detailed pictures, so this page will be updated constantly.

Look and learn:
 

Manufacture:

marking on silver frame:

marking on ring:

 detail: 
click on picture to see full cross

C.E. Junkers / Berlin

2 & 800 (different marks)

800

 

C.E. Junkers / Berlin

L/12 & 800

800

 

Steinhauer & Lück / Lüdenscheid

4 & 935 (4 sits inside a mortise)

 

 

Steinhauer & Lück / Lüdenscheid

935

935

Steinhauer & Lück / Lüdenscheid

800

800

Deschler & Sohn / München

 

 

  

Klein & Quenzer / Idar Oberstein

800

65 & 800

C.F. Zimmermann / Pforzheim

20 & 800

800

Godet

 

 

 

Unknown

 those examples were worn by e.g. Werner Mölders or Joachim Lemelsen

 

 

There are also original pieces made with zinc or copper center instead of an iron center.

 

© A. Schulze Ising, X/02


 
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