For sale in HH auction, 75r (lot 7309)
Full description
Blackened iron core in a silver frame, maker's mark "L/12" for Juncker and "800" mark of fineness stamped next to the eyelet. Suspension ring with slightly convex ends and "800" fineness mark. Dimensions 63.5 x 71.5 mm, weight 55.5 g. With a 55 mm wide new ribbon section about 48 cm in length. The Grand Cross class of the Iron Cross was introduced by Hitler already on 1 September 1939, and was only to be awarded by himself. In fact, the sole and only bestowal of this award, on 19 July 1940, was to Hermann Göring, who was promoted Reich Marshal at the same time. Sole manufacturer of the Grand Cross was the Berlin firm C.E. Juncker, which even produced some pieces with a gold frame according to the original directive of 1 September 1939. However, this version was rejected by Hitler. In the end, several examples with silver frame were produced and given not only to the presidential chancellery, but also to public exhibitions such as "Unser Heer" (Our Army) as well as to army museums. The piece offered here was found in 1945 by U.S. forces in Klessheim Castle where the presidential administration resided during the last days of war. Also captured there was a special class issue of a Grand Cross Star of the Iron Cross (similar to the "Blücherstern"), which today can be seen in the collection of the United States Military Acadamy at West Point, which also is in possession of Göring's personal Grand Cross and his marshal's baton. USA-lot Condition:I - II
This one has no case. How many GCs in existence?
Full description
Blackened iron core in a silver frame, maker's mark "L/12" for Juncker and "800" mark of fineness stamped next to the eyelet. Suspension ring with slightly convex ends and "800" fineness mark. Dimensions 63.5 x 71.5 mm, weight 55.5 g. With a 55 mm wide new ribbon section about 48 cm in length. The Grand Cross class of the Iron Cross was introduced by Hitler already on 1 September 1939, and was only to be awarded by himself. In fact, the sole and only bestowal of this award, on 19 July 1940, was to Hermann Göring, who was promoted Reich Marshal at the same time. Sole manufacturer of the Grand Cross was the Berlin firm C.E. Juncker, which even produced some pieces with a gold frame according to the original directive of 1 September 1939. However, this version was rejected by Hitler. In the end, several examples with silver frame were produced and given not only to the presidential chancellery, but also to public exhibitions such as "Unser Heer" (Our Army) as well as to army museums. The piece offered here was found in 1945 by U.S. forces in Klessheim Castle where the presidential administration resided during the last days of war. Also captured there was a special class issue of a Grand Cross Star of the Iron Cross (similar to the "Blücherstern"), which today can be seen in the collection of the United States Military Acadamy at West Point, which also is in possession of Göring's personal Grand Cross and his marshal's baton. USA-lot Condition:I - II
This one has no case. How many GCs in existence?
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