A Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by Steinhauer and Luck.

A Mint Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by Steinhauer and Luck accompanied by its original case, Magnetic core,silver frame marked 935 for silver and "4" code for maker Steinhauer and Luck on reverse top arm as well as 935 on loop, weighs 30 grams, 48.3mm (w) x 48.3mm (h), A ribbon of 45mm in width. Instituted by A.Hitler on 1 September 1939,the Knight's Cross was a new award, intended to bridge the considerable gap which existed between the Iron Cross First Class, and the Grand Cross.The Knight's Cross was designed and produced to reflect the aspirations of a nation. It was larger than the Iron Cross Second Class that it so closely resembled (48mm(W x H) as compared to 44mm).Manufacturing was strictly supervised by LDO.Since this award was being created for the first time in history, production of a prototype was carefully planned and limited to one firm,Steinhauer and Luck of Ludenscheid. The little town of Ludenscheid has always been known as a jeweler's mecca. Throughout the war,officially awarded Crosses were produced by a trio of firms, C.E.Junker of Berlin;Deschler and Sohn of Munich and Steinhauer and Luck. Additional manufacturers were later added to include Klein and Quenzer and C.F.Zimmermann.For special presentation to senior officers, an extremely rare Godet Iron Cross set was produced that also included the Knight's Cross. Standard award pieces are marked "800",for silver content. Rarer Crosses bare the numbers "900" and "935",but it is assumed these are private purchase items. 7318 Knight's Crosses was awarded.