World War 1 Iron Cross 1st 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 maker marked 'KMST' indicating production by the 'Königlichen Münze' from Stuttgart and also showing a 'DRGM' trade mark. The pin and catch are in functional condition, the pin is showing an '800' silver hallmark. The cross comes in an original privately purchase type case as found together. The case was originally inteded for a 2nd class cross in my opinion but looking at the imprints you can see this cross has always been in this case so I decided to keep them together as found. Rare original cased 'KMST' WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class!