Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, By Ko Auction Archive the Order of Public Instruction

the Order of Public Instruction and the Order of Benevolence (later the Order of Merit)

There is a fabric-based manufacturer's label sewn in place on the right rear pocket

Marked 19 - In zinc

Instituted 1914 by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst

with a leather lined foam “stopper” in the form of a cross in the centre to prevent the head from making contact with the interior of the helmet

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, By Ko Auction Archive the Order of Public Instruction(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of blackened magnetic iron, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the reverse with en elongated block hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked KO for a widely