THE SCHINKEL IRON CROSS 1ST.CLASS.

One of the extremely rare variation of the Iron Cross 1st class exists and is known today as the so-called "Schinkel" (named for its original designer Karl Friedrich Schinkel).After the WW1, Imperial Germany ceased to exist,but stocks of old Iron Cross First and Second Classes did.When Hitler reinstituted the Award in September 1939,manufacturers immediately jumped at the cost effective solution of reusing the old silver frames with a new Iron core. Hitler wanted a bigger Cross, new regulations stopped all production using old frames. The Schinkel reflects an earlier, smaller size of Crosses an average measurement of approximately 43mm. in both directions. Excellent example marked on the pin L/11- For Wilhelm Deumer, Ludenscheid and 800 for silver content.