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 maker marked with 'WS' indicating production by the company of 'Wagner & Sohn' from Berlin. 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 brown/black coloured simulated leather outside with an embossed gold Iron Cross on the lid. The closure system of the box does not work perfectly anymore, this is often the case with this type of box. Nice original cased WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class!