Cased Iron Cross First Class – L15 Friedrich Orth

Product Description: This is a choice and highly desirable example of a Cased Iron Cross First Class, preserved in outstanding condition. The cross itself exhibits no visible wear to the obverse, with the original black enamel finish on the core remaining completely intact. The silvered frame features beautifully defined beading, complemented by only the slightest, even patina from age, which enhances its vintage appeal.

The reverse is smooth and flat, retaining nearly all of its original silver finish over Tombak hardware. The functional banjo pin is neatly stamped with the LDO code “L/15,” identifying manufacture by the firm of Friedrich Orth of Vienna. The textbook block hinge and sheet metal catch are both pristine, showing no signs of repair or alteration.

This handsome decoration is presented in its original case, which remains in excellent condition. The exterior retains its full, rich color with only minimal wear to the edges from handling. The lid is adorned with an embossed Iron Cross emblem, while the hinge and push-button clasp function smoothly and securely. Inside, the medal rests on a cream-colored insert that perfectly complements the decoration. The silk lid lining and hinge covering are intact, showing only light, attractive toning where the cross has rested undisturbed for decades.

This cased Iron Cross First Class is an exceptionally well-preserved example that would make a superb addition to any advanced collection of German military decorations. Its combination of condition, completeness, and desirable maker mark makes it a standout piece seldom encountered on the market today.

Historical Description: There is no more iconic German military award than the Iron Cross. The long history of this order began during the Napoleonic Wars. King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia instituted the “Eisernes Kreuz” (Iron Cross) in March of 1813. The award criteria changed somewhat with time, but generally speaking, Iron Crosses could be awarded for individual acts of bravery, or for leadership achievements on the battlefield. The design was created by a Karl Friedrich Schinkel, his choice of the black cross with silver outline was derived from the heraldic emblem of the Teutonic Knights. There were a number of different type and grades of Iron Cross awards throughout its long history, but the basic details of the most widely awarded grades: The Iron Cross 1st Class and Iron Cross 2nd Class- remained the same. The first-class award was a breast badge, with fittings on the reverse to allow it to be worn on the uniform. These fittings varied widely over time and from maker to maker, and could be a simple in and catch, a screw post and retaining disc, or more elaborate setups. The second-class award was suspended from a ribbon, originally in the Prussian colors of black and white, later in the Reich colors of black, red and white. On the original versions of these crosses, in 1813, the front of the iron core of each grade was bare, and only the second-class award had ornamentation: a crown over the initials “FW” representing the King, a sprig of oak leaves, and the date 1813. The core was redesigned in 1870, when the cross was re-instituted during the Franco-Prussian War. The reverse ornamentation on the Iron Cross 2nd Class remained the same, but the front of the core on both grades now bore another crown, a “W” representing Kaiser Wilhelm, and the date 1870. This pattern repeated again when the cross was reinstituted for WWI- everything stayed the same, only the date 1870 was replaced with 1914. The final reinstitution of the cross came in 1939. For this version, the front of the core for both grades bore a swastika and the date 1939. The oak leaves, crown and royal initials were removed from the reverse, with only the date 1813 remaining as a reminder of the legacy of this award. In WWII, hundreds of thousands of Iron Cross First Class awards were bestowed, and four and a half million Iron Cross Second Class awards. Iron Crosses were made by a large number of authorized manufacturers Some variants of these awards were mass produced in huge numbers. Others were made in very limited quantities.

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