Iron Cross 2nd Class First World War ?

[johnschou]

I know this is a Iron Cross 2nd Class First World War, but I am nor sure of the letter W, I guess it stands for Wilhelm and the FW for Friedrich Wilhelm

It has no stamped mark on the solid ring, so I dont know the marker ?

Iron Cross from the First World War bears the year "1914
The Iron Cross was reauthorized by Emperor Wilhelm II on 5 August 1914, at the start of the First World War

Obverse Text: W, stands for Wilhelm and the year 1914

Reverse Text: FW, stands for Friedrich Wilhelm and the year 1813

The 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Crosses had three grades:
Iron Cross 2nd Class (German: Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse)
Iron Cross 1st Class (German: Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse)
Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (German: Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Großkreuz)

[Adrian]

I know this is a Iron Cross 2nd Class First World War, but I am nor sure of the letter W, I guess it stands for Wilhelm and the FW for Friedrich Wilhelm

That is correct. A nice original EK2 with an original ribbon, I've never seen one folded as such, it looks good. Looking at the blackened frames I would guess quite a high silver content. It's a nice piece.

[johnschou]

Hi Adrian
Thanks again, yes it could look like a bit of silver at the blackened frames. I know you like WWi and WWII stuff like me, have you seen my thread about the Armband of Danish resistance (posted in this section: The Western Allies), it ia a very nice item
Regards
John

[milmuseum]

Did they use more silver in the WWI EK's? I have read that the WWII ones were made from a alloy of copper, zinc and nickel "German silver".

Thanks

Burt

[Chopperman]

You are correct. Most www1 crosses have silver frame.

[milmuseum]

Thanks Greg!