This Iron Cross 1st class was awarded by the Nazi German SS to;
Fritz Knochlein
SS-Haptstrumfuhrer
15-6-1940
An SS-Haptstrumfuhrer was equal to a Sgt. Major in the US
and British Forces.
The Iron Cross 1st Class was presented considerably more sparingly than the 2nd Class and therefore held more prestige. Unlike previous versions of this Iron Cross Class it was highly standardized, and like all 1939 Classes all imperial symbols were removed.
The Iron Cross 1st Class had the same dimensions and identical obverse features as the 2nd Class (44mm by 44mm). It was constructed of 3 pieces, but the reverse was a solid silvered metal piece with only the attachment mechanism present, usually a fat bellied pin and hook as pictured to the right. The solid iron core was fitted between the back piece and the front frame with the manufacturers mark, if any, was stamped on the pin or on the lower arm of the Cross. The soldering was again very neat, with only the slimmest of lines present. The Cross was finished in mat or semi-mat black and the quality of the pieces manufactured was very high.
From the Louise Veninga Collection.
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