World War 1 Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse mit Trägergravur). 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 maker marked with 'KO' indicating production by the 'Königliches Münzamt Orden' from Berlin. The pin and catch are in good functional condition. The cross is having a saying engraved on the back: 'Komt dir das Glück zum Greifen nah, so nimm, Fällst Du ins Wasser, dann schwim' (If luck comes your way, then grab it, if you fall into the water, then swim). This is a great original period engraving, not one of the many fake engravings flooting the market. Engraved sayings are very rare compared to crosses with engraved names or units. Rare and decorative original engraved cross in very good condition!