Original WWI German 1914 Iron Cross Second Class With Three Battle Clasps

Original WWI German 1914 Iron Cross Second Class With Three Battle Clasps

An impressive Imperial German Iron Cross Second Class mounted on its black and white combatant's ribbon with three gilt battle clasps:

LIVLAND
KURLAND
MASURISCHE SEEN

The cross features a blackened magnetic iron centre within a silver frame. The obverse displays the Prussian Crown, the cypher "W" for Kaiser Wilhelm II and the date 1914. The reverse carries the crowned "FW" cypher, oak leaves and the original institution date of 1813.The three clasps commemorate service on the Eastern Front in Livonia, Courland and the Masurian Lakes. These clasps were privately produced veteran's commemorative pieces rather than officially issued Imperial German campaign clasps. Surviving period mounted examples are considerably scarcer than an ordinary Iron Cross Second Class. Similar clasps are associated with post war veteran display mounts and are believed to have been commercially offered by Heinrich Timm of Berlin.

The medal retains strong black finish, attractive silver toning and a well aged ribbon. The gilt clasps show age related wear and patina, while the ribbon has fraying, old stitching and general service wear. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

A highly decorative and historically evocative Imperial German medal group, representing service across three important Eastern Front campaign areas.

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_gsrx_vers_1836 (GS 10.1 (1836))