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 an iron core and a silver frame. This cross is having a rare early A14 first type core being a modified 1870 core. The cross is nicely maker marked with the early 'WS' marking indicating production by the company of 'Wagner & Sohn' from Berlin. The pin and catch are in good functional condition. Nice original wartime awarded cross in very good condition!