Origins & Evolution of the Iron Cross

[Prussian]

This thread is obviously based on the origins & evolution of the Iron Cross. Firstly the origins of Iron Cross stem from Royal Prussia, first introduced during the campaigns that lead to Napoloen's defeat. Most not worthy it was introduced the very year Napoloen faced defeat at the battle of Leipzig in 1813.

During the course of this thread the Iron Cross will be briefly discussed & examples shown for the various classes of the award available depending on the period.

Firstly it should be noted that the Iron Cross itself is linked to the Crusades in it's use of symbolism. Such examples are shown here in the form of Teutonic Order's display of what is also known as the Crusader's Cross.

Here is pictorial example of the Crusader's cross on the shield of an Order Knight.

Next is an example of the Order's Insignia very similiar in presentation to later Iron Crosses.

Next we have a chart showing the Iron Cross in it's various Classes reflective of each period of conflict.

[Prussian]

Prussian Iron crosses from 1813 originating during the campaigns against Napoleon.

Iron Cross 2nd Class 1813




Iron Cross 1st Class 1813




Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1813




Star of the Grand Cross to the Iron Cross 1813
(aka The Blücher Star)

[Prussian]

Prussian Iron crosses from the Franco-Prussian war of 1870



Iron cross 2nd class w/clasp 1870

Iron cross 2nd class w/clasp of 25yrs service 1870

Iron cross 2nd class w/non-combatents ribbon 1870

Iron cross 1st class 1870

Grand cross of the Knights cross 1870

[Prussian]

Iron crosses of the first world war 1914-18


Iron cross 2nd Class 1914




Iron cross 1st class 1914




Grand cross of the Iron Cross 1914

Star of the Grand cross to the Iron Cross
(aka the Hindenburg cross)

[Prussian]

For men of whom were awarded the Iron cross it was common practice for them to wear a ring indicating the fact, here are examples from the first world war.

[Prussian]

The 1939 1st & 2nd class Iron Crosses

1939 Iron Cross 2nd class




1939 Clasp to the 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class




1939 Iron cross 1st class




1939 Clasp to the 1914 Iron cross 1st class

[Prussian]

The 1939 Knight's cross of the Iron Cross.



With Oakleaves, Swords & Diamonds




A rather worn example of the above as the variant awarded with Golden Oak leaves, Swords & Diamonds.




An example of how the Knight's cross was worn.

[Prussian]

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Grosskreuz des Eidernen Kreuzes), which existed since the inception of the Iron Cross, was re-instituted on September 1, 1939. It had the same characteristics as the Knights Cross, but was much larger measuring 63mm. It was originally designed with the frames’ outer edges in gold, but this was changed before the award was ever presented. The Grand Cross was worn at the neck with a 57mm wide ribbon bearing the same colors as the Knights Cross and 2nd Class ribbons.

The Grand Cross was not a bravery award and was reserved solely for General Staff officers. It was to be presented by Hitler only for the most outstanding strategic decisions affecting the course of the war. There was only one Grand Cross recipient; Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe Hermann Goring received the Grand Cross at the Reichstag on July 19, 1940 at the same time as he was promoted to Reich Marshall of the Third Reich. The award was presented in recognition of the Luftwaffe successes and contributions to the 1940 blitzkrieg campaigns in France and the Low Countries.

[Prussian]

Honour role clasps reflective of the service in which one served, these were worn on the ribbon of variants of the 1939 Iron cross but these are not considered of the overall Iron cross family as they are a completely seperate award, but I post them for interests sake.

Role of honour clasps reflective of the services.

[Prussian]

Examples of the 1957 re-issues of 1939 Iron Cross decorations

Note:Oak leaves replace the Swastika.

1957 Iron Cross 2nd Class re-issue




1957 Iron Cross 1st Class re-issue




1957 Knight's Cross re-issue




1957 Spange to the 1914 Iron Cross 1st class.

Examples of the 1957 re-issues

[Prussian]

The extremely rare Iron cross stick pin. In order to be awarded this pin one must pocess the 1st & 2nd class Iron cross as well as the 1939 Knight's cross to earn the right to have this award.

[Prussian]

This is "the mother's cross" of the third reich though not a literall Iron cross it can be considered the female equalivient of the award. These were awarded to mother's of the period along with cash incentives to produce larger families. They came in three classes, Gold,silver & Bronze depending on the amount of children beared by the mother in question.

Gold-Bearing Eight or more children


Silver-Bearing Six or Seven children


Bronze-Bearing Four or Five children



Examples of the three classes of the award.

[Prussian]

Examples of presentation for the Iron cross award.


WW1 Iron Cross ribbon

WW1 in extremely rare cases this was awarded & sewn to the tunic of the recipient.

1939 Iron Cross 1st class in presentation case.

1939 Iron Cross 2nd class in presentation case



Documentation for decoration of Iron Cross 2nd class.



1939 Clasp for 1914 Iron Cross 2nd class with presentation envelope.

Iron Cross' on the award table during the Third Reich

[Prussian]

1939 Additions to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

1939 Oak leaves



1939 Knight's Cross w/Oak leaves

1939 Oak leaves & Swords



1939 Knight's Cross with Oak leaves & swords



1939 Oak leaves, swords & diamonds



1939 Knight's Cross with Oak leaves, swords & diamonds



1939 Golden Oak leaves, swords & diamonds



1939 Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, swords & diamonds



Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel with his 1939 Iron Cross with GOlden Oak leaves, swords & diamonds.