Framed Pair*WWI Iron Cross and Ribbon 2nd Class & Nazi 2nd Class War Merit Cross and Ribbon. N 126. Framed Pair*WWI Iron Cross and Ribbon 2nd Class & Nazi 2nd Class War Merit Cross and Ribbon. N 126. Antique & Militaria

On 17 March 1813 King Frederick William III of Prussia who had fled to non-occupied Breslau (today Wrocław) – established the military decoration of the Iron Cross, backdated to 10 March (the late Queen Louise's birthday). The Iron Cross was awarded to soldiers during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon. Before a soldier could be awarded with the Iron Cross 1st Class, he needed to have been decorated with the Iron Cross 2nd Class. It was first awarded to Karl August Ferdinand von Borcke on 21 April 1813. The first form of the Iron Crosses 1st Class was stitched in ribbon to the left uniform breast. By order of 1 June 1813, the 2nd form was created in cast iron with silver borders, and 8 loops on the reverse, to be fixed to the left uniform breast. In 1817 a total of 670 chevaliers had received the Iron Cross 1st Class. It carries its original black and white ribbon. A real collectors piece. The War Merit Cross (German: Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was a state decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. This award was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (similar medal but with a different ribbon). The award was graded in the same manner as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service "not in direct connection with combat", and without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in "furtherance of the war effort". W & L is to the rear of this medal. Denoting manufacture by Wachtler & Lange. See pages 79 & 80 of Combat Medals of the 3rd Reich by C. Ailsby. Framed and in very good order, UK delivery is included in the price. N 126.