KNIGHTS CROSS OF THE IRON CROSS

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1957 variant. (As worn in the Bundeswehr)
Original Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), complete with L.D.O. Presentation Box (Post War)ribbon.
This example is correctly constructed with a magnetic iron core and a silver frame.
the reverse bearing the date 1813 and the obverse with oak leaf and 1939. The upper arm of the cross is further stamped “L/12”, the official LDO code for
Maker = C. E. Juncker, Berlin.

instituted on 1st September 1939 as Germany’s highest award for bravery and leadership.

*Condition*
fair worn condition poor black lacquer remaining hints of rust to edges. it has a magnetic core and light age-related toning to the silver frame, which retains an attractive patina. possibly replacement ribbon loop.

The LDO, (Leistungs Gemeinschaft der Deutscher Ordenshersteller, Administration of German orders Manufacturers), was a self-governing organization formed in 1941 which regulated the manufacturing of all German awards. This organization and its members, through decrees which came directly from the Fuhrer’s office, tightly supervised the dimensions, materials and construction methods used to create the medals that would decorate Germany’s soldiers. It was also an information source, and construction methods were discussed and shared among firms. All members of this organization were issued a number, an “LDO number” or Prasidialkanzlei (Arabic) number , which was supposed to be stamped on all awards produced by these firms. In reality this particular regulation was not tightly enforced, and a great number of awards were produced with no mark all. It has been stated that the numbers that identified the firms changed on a regular basis, when, in reality, this was not the case. Some firms do have two numbers, one which is prefixed by an “L” and a Prasidialkanzlei one, but these did not change during the war. One explanation put forth for this is that the “L” prefixed to a number was used for privately purchased pieces, where the Prasidialkanzlei number was used for award pieces.

Code: 55472