Hohenzollern Cross 1st class?

[Don D.]

This should be a Hohenzollern Cross 1st class.

[Don D.]

But the thickness is throwing me off. Thoughts?

[Brian L.]

The green enameling in the wreath is not up to standard. It should not be dull matte like that, but transparent, glassy and jewel-like. It should also be slightly convex rather than concave. However, ones made by Hemmerle, Munich have similar enameling to yours, but very different hardware and were also marked on the reverse with a circular name-plate. The hardware on yours concerns me. It should be a thin slightly coke bottle shape with a re-enforcing semi-circular plate at the hinge, like you often see on the Mecklenburg-Schwerin Verdienst Kreuz 1 cl. The hinge should be a thinner, long barrel type hinge. It is definitely thick compared to the one I used to own, which was marked Zimmerer, Sigmaringen. The central medallion seems pretty good with nice chasing on the crown and shield. Although the lettering's a little wonky and the leaf sprig below the shield lacks the detail one would expect.
If it's legit, it may be from the 1930s or later, which might explain the quality. As far as I'm aware the Hohenzollerns continued to give these out until 1951 when the crown prince died.

[Don D.]

The OEK shows them being awarded into the 30s. Ironically, those later awards are listed as being rarer.

[Brian L.]

The OEK shows them being awarded into the 30s. Ironically, those later awards are listed as being rarer.

This is the accepted fact. But, I was told many years ago by someone very knowledgeable about Imperial orders and decorations, that awards continued later than the 30s, as I mentioned.

[Don D.]

Looking around on the internet there are more examples. The first is supposedly from the 1890-1900ish. The center motif is a close match.

[Don D.]

Others. Perhaps an unknown maker.