World War 1 Iron Cross First Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse), complete with its original etui. 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 with an iron core and a silver frame. The cross is nicely marked with the logo of te company of 'Paul Meybauer' from Berlin and a '900' silver hallmark. The pin and catch are in functional condition. The cross comes in its original early wartime type case as found together. The case has an grained black coloured simulated leather outside with an embossed silver Iron Cross with date '1914/15' on the lid. This is indicating that this is an early type case, Germany at that time thought they were able to win the war within two years. Nice original cased WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class in very good condition!