German Cross in Gold – 134

Product Description: This German Cross in Gold is an excellent example of the lightweight type made by Otto Klein. The glossy black enamel on the swastika is complete, with some minor surface marks. The roundel retains most of the original silvering, with some patina from age. The Buntmetall wreath and red backing are complete and intact, and the rays on the obverse retain nearly all of the original finish. The reverse of this German Cross in Gold is textbook in all respects, with four hollow rivets securing the assembly together. The backing plate is neatly maker marked “134,” the code for Otto Klein. The hardware is intact and functional, with untouched original solder on the catch plate and block hinge. The backing plate and wide, tapered pin show typical light age toning. This is a very desirable cross, with a great look, and remains in excellent condition overall.

Historical Description:The German Cross in Gold was instituted on September 28^th, 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-point 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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