WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class 'Meybauer' in Prinzen Size
World War 1 Iron Cross 1st Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) in the so-called 'Prinzengröße'. The iron cross was re-instituted by King Wilhelm II on 5 August 1914 for award during World War I. 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 half size miniature cross has a three piece construction with an iron core and a silver frame. The cross comes on its original and naturally functional two-piece screw-back set-up. The small disc is nicely marked with 'D.R.G.M.653146'. All three parts are showing various silver hallmarks. The cross is nicely maker marked with the logo of the company of 'Paul Meybauer' from Berlin. This piece was an expensive private purchased example, extremely rare Prinzen size variant WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class!