Hi guys!
Here's my pride & joy. I want to thank Trevor & his friend in Germany for helping me confirm/research this little jewel before I acquired it. It's a very early (maybe 1st 500-1000) 1813 EK II's.
It came from the family with the note that translates:
"The Iron Cross of 1813 belonged to Oberstleutnant von Düring, the brother of our Grand-Grandmother. He also owned a miniature-portrait of Friedrich Wilhelm II. "
With additional assistance I was able to gather information on the awardee, Levin (Hermann Otto) von Düring. Here's a brief bio so far:
Levin (Hermann Otto) von Düring was born 14.03.1769 and died 23.04.1836.
He joined the army on 09.08.1786, fought in the 1792/95 campaign against the French. In 1806 he was in Regiment Lettow (Nr. 41) and following the capitulation of Hameln he became inactive. Reactivated in Jan 1812 he transferred to the Gendarmerie in Feb 1813. In Aug 1813 he was promoted Major and made a battalion commander in the 1. Neumärkisches Landwehr Regiment. On 02.04.1815 he became commander of that regiment. On 05.06.1818 he became commander of Infantry Regiment 14 and served in that capacity until his retirement on 27.03.1821. He was promoted to colonel on 30.03.1821 When he retired, he was given the "Charakter" as a General Major.
He was awarded the EK II for his actions in the Battle of Dennewitz.
Paul, here's a pic of him out of a book on Prussian Generals, maybe showing the St. Anna award?
Thanks!!
Greg
Hi Greg,
Yes, that's the St. Anne, a spectacular and beautiful award. (Now you're in trouble.)
As you know I love your EK2. Congratulations, again
The frame of this one has an interesting construction. The outer frame is actually one single piece, and the beading rims are separately applied, in multiple parts with solder, in order to keep the core in place. This is a construction technique said to have been used on the very earliest crosses (perhaps the first 500).
Such a lovely and rare cross.
EDIT: Here's a St. Anne in bronze gilt (I think his would have been in gold). I'm no Russia expert, so I don't know if this is the right class, either, but this is what it looks like:
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