Iron Cross Spange 2nd Class – Ziemer

Product Description: A fine and early example of the Iron Cross Spange 2nd Class – Ziemer, representing a highly desirable variant sought after by discerning collectors of Second World War German military decorations. Executed in tombak with a refined, high-quality rhodium silver–washed finish, the piece demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, with crisply rendered construction and a bright, evenly preserved surface showing only the lightest traces of age.

The clasp retains strong visual integrity, with all original reverse fittings intact and fully functional, including all four prongs securely present. The reverse construction exhibits the characteristic hallmarks associated with Zimmer manufacture, further reinforcing its authenticity and desirability within this category.

Displaying a pleasing, even patina throughout, the piece presents in excellent overall condition, retaining both its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Iron Cross Spange 2nd Class – Ziemer exemplifies a superior surviving example of its type, offering collectors a well-preserved and highly representative specimen of this historically significant military award.

Historical Description: When Adolf Hitler reinstituted the historical Iron Cross decoration on September 1, 1939, he also instituted a special new award, the “Wiederholungsspange,” to recognize people who had earned the 1914 Iron Cross during WWI and whose actions in this new war merited being awarded the Iron Cross again. There were two different patterns of this Spange, for the First and Second Classes of the Iron Cross. Both of them took the form of a German national eagle and swastika emblem, with outstretched wings, over a bar with the date “1939.” The First-Class award had a pin attachment or screw back, to enable it to be worn on the uniform pocket over the 1914 Iron Cross. Some combo-type awards are also known, with the Spange fastened to the top arm of the 1914 cross. The Second Class Spange had two or four prongs on the reverse and was affixed to a length of 1914 pattern Iron Cross ribbon. Most of the Spange awards were made of a brass alloy (Buntmetall) with a silver finish, while late war examples were produced from zinc. As with most German combat awards, there were many variations of the Spange produced, including miniature awards for the ribbon bar.

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