Iron Cross identification

[Henri S]

Help needed to identify this cross and it's authenticity. Thanks

[Marc Garlasco]

That is an Imperial-era cross, Brunswick's main military decoration of World War One was the Kriegsverdienstkreuz (War Merit Cross), sometimes called the Ernst August Cross.

[Gary B]

Flakk88 is correct. One more addition. This is the forst class of the award. The secdon class is identical in design but is attached to a blue ribbon with yellow stripes (if I recall correctly). These awards are sort of Brunswicks Iron Cross equivalent.

Gary B

[Henri S]

Thanks for the information. I was doing some researching and I found that this cross is also called Ernst August Cross. It looks like a nice cross indeed.

[ynot]

I thought the 1st class EA cross should have a different colour. My 2nd class has the same colour as a dirty old copper coin or an old piece of bronze.

Tony

[Henri S]

The picture I found in a reference book is in black and white. I would like to know the authenticity of this cross.

I thought the 1st class EA cross should have a different colour. My 2nd class has the same colour as a dirty old copper coin or an old piece of bronze.

Tony

[ynot]

I've heard there are quite a few fakes about, you are supposed to be able to tell by the needle. As for this one, I don't know as I don't own one to compare but the back looks very smooth and clean to me.

Tony

[Tim Tezer]

The pin and catch do not look right. The catch appears to be a flat strip bent into a "C" shape, which is almost always a sign of a copy.

Tim

[Henri S]

Thanks

The pin and catch do not look right. The catch appears to be a flat strip bent into a "C" shape, which is almost always a sign of a copy.

Tim

[Henri S]

Just a quick update, that the cross shown here is a 1957 re-issue, made in 1965/70.