Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, One-Piece Non-Magnetic Metal Variant, Privately-Purchased Example GTRexclude 83 mm (w) x 43

83 mm (w) x 43

obverse illustrating a large fasces at the left beside a map of Africa at the right

Some sources state that the "Medal for Military Merit" was created in 1852 in three classes

Chaplain in Ordinary to H

presenting a silver Maltese cross with scaled arms and ball finials

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, One-Piece Non-Magnetic Metal Variant, Privately-Purchased Example GTRexclude 83 mm (w) x 43(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of blackened and silvered brass, consisting of a one piece vaulted Cross Patte with a blackened core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round