Cased Iron Cross 1st Class

Iron Cross first class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) that comes in its original etui as issued. On September 1st 1939 Hitler reinstituted the Iron Cross (First time in 1813). The first class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat, and had already been awarded the Iron Cross second class. The cross has a three piece construction. The cross is non-maker marked. This piece came directly from a German flea-market where it was recently found. It has never been cleaned or polished. The etui is in an overall very nice condition: the velvet inside area just shows some minor staining and wear. A nice desirable set with character!