World War 1 Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse). The Iron Cross was 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 '800' silver. The cross is having a closed '4' in the 1914 date. This is a rare example made in the early 30's by the company of 'Deschler & Sohn' from München The pin and catch are in good functional condition. Rare and hard to find original variant cross in good condition!