World War 1 Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse). Re-instituted by King Wilhelm II on 5 August 1914 for award during WWI. Both the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Iron Cross 2nd Class were awarded without regard to rank. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. One had to already possess the 2nd Class in order to receive the 1st Class. The cross has a three piece construction and a magnetic core, the cross does still have the neat so-called: 'Hochpolierte Kanten'. This is a WW2 period produced cross which can be attributed to production by the company of 'Steinhauer & Lück' from Lüdenscheid. The cross is having a functional pin and catch. Rare and hard to find original cross in shiny mint condition!