Condition: Near Mint
Maker: C.F. Zimmermann
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Product Description: This cased Zimmermann German Cross in Gold is a choice and very desirable set. The award is a very appealing “light weight” variant, with a backing made of CupAl (mechanically bonded copper and aluminum). It has a beautiful, uncleaned patina throughout. The obverse shows slight wear. There are no chips to the glossy black enamel on the swastika emblem, only light surface scratches. Most of the original finish to the metal is still intact, with some base metal peeking through. The silvered field behind the swastika presents attractive toning. The details on this cross are exactly what one expects to see for this variant, with the correct die flaws to the date and at 11 o’clock on the wreath. The reverse of this cross is also nicely toned from age. The four hollow rivets visible on the reverse are textbook. The hardware is unrepaired, with matching, undisturbed patina. The tapered solid pin is functional, and is maker marked on the underside with the PKZ maker code “20” indicating manufacture by the firm of C. F. Zimmermann. The wire catch is attached to an oblong solder plate. This handsome award is housed in a great original case. The case is of typical mid to late war quality, with flock lining. The exterior shows only very minor wear, with great color, and virtually all of the original surface is intact. The gold band running around the lid indicates the case is for a gold grade award. The hinge and push button function as they should. Inside, the black flocked lining displays the award beautifully. The lid lining and hinge cover are intact, with evident age toning. This is a great example of an increasingly scarce Cased Zimmermann German Cross in Gold, in outstanding condition.
Historical Description: The German Cross in Gold was instituted on September 28th, 1941. The German High Command saw it necessary to create an award which would bridge the gap between the Iron Cross First Class and the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Once instituted, the German Cross became Germany’s second highest military decoration, second only to the Knights Cross and its subsequent grades. The German Cross was similar to the Knights Cross in regards that the award was not based off of any previous awards in German history. It was a unique creation which also ended with the war. There were approximately 26,000 recipients of the German Cross in Gold. This number, however, does not reflect the total amount of German Crosses produced.
The German Cross was actually not a cross at all. It took on the form of an eight-pointed star, resembling some of the former breast awards of the Imperial era. The award came in two forms, a metal version and a cloth version. The metal version being the most complex of the two, it consisted of five separate pieces being fitted and held together using four to twelve rivets depending on who the manufacturer was. The cloth version follows the exact same design as the metal produced version except the entire cross is cloth with the exception of the laurel wreath still being metal.
Known Manufacturers: Deschler & Sohn, Munchen,;C.E. Juncker, Berlin; C.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim; Gebruder Godet, Berlin; Otto Klein, Hanau
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