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 with a magnetic iron core. This is a WW2 era production cross, the cross is not visible maker marked but can very likely be attributed to production by the company of 'Wilhelm Deumer' from Lüdenscheid. The pin and catch are in good functional condition. Nice original 1914-type Iron Cross 1st Class in very good condition!