Rare 1939 Spange to 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class combined decoration with an S-W marked vertical pin for Sy & Wagner, Berlin. The award retains its blackened iron centre, silver-coloured frame, original patina and complete fastening system. An uncommon one-piece arrangement representing decoration in both world wars.
€ 1.800
1 in stock
This 1939 Spange to 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class is an unusually scarce combined-wear example. Rather than consisting of two independently mounted awards, the 1939 repetition clasp and the Imperial 1914 Iron Cross have been joined to create one complete pin-backed decoration.
The front displays a Prussian Iron Cross 1st Class with a blackened iron centre. A silver-coloured ribbed frame surrounds the core, while the obverse carries the Imperial crown, central “W” cipher and the date “1914.” Above the cross sits the distinctive 1939 repetition clasp.
The upper clasp depicts a Wehrmacht eagle with outstretched wings. Beneath the eagle appears an oak-leaf wreath surrounding a swastika. A raised date panel carries the numerals “1939.”
This clasp indicated that a First World War recipient of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class had qualified for the same grade again during the Second World War. Consequently, it represented combat service and recognised distinction across both conflicts.
Ordinarily, the clasp and cross were worn as separate pin-backed awards. However, contemporary reference sources record a scarce variation in which the 1939 Spange was attached directly to the 1914 Iron Cross, forming a single combined decoration. The construction of this example corresponds to that recognised one-piece style.
The reverse carries a long vertical pin marked “S-W.” This mark is associated with Sy & Wagner of Berlin, an important Imperial German jeweller and manufacturer of official decorations.
Sy & Wagner belonged to the small group of firms authorised to manufacture Iron Crosses during the First World War. Therefore, an S-W marked 1914 Iron Cross has particular appeal to specialist Imperial medal collectors.
Although the marked pin supports the Sy & Wagner identification of the Iron Cross and its fastening assembly, the 1939 clasp itself bears no visible maker’s mark. For accuracy, the clasp should therefore be described as an unattributed period pattern rather than automatically credited to Sy & Wagner.
A single pin extends from the hinge beneath the repetition clasp to the catch below the lower arm of the Iron Cross. The hinge, pin and lower retaining catch remain present.
The reverse reveals how the clasp and cross have been united within the shared fastening arrangement. Furthermore, the surfaces display consistent age, oxidation and wear. There is no obvious bright modern solder visible in the supplied photographs.
One-piece or privately assembled combinations were intended to simplify uniform wear. Nevertheless, they are encountered far less frequently than separate Iron Cross and repetition-clasp sets.
The 1939 Spange to 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class remains in good, honestly worn condition. Much of the black finish survives on the iron centre, although some surface loss and age-related wear are visible.
Meanwhile, the frame and upper clasp show an attractive, naturally developed patina. The raised dates, crown, cipher, eagle and wreath remain well defined. Expected contact marks appear across the reverse, while the S-W maker stamp remains clearly legible.
No attempt should be made to polish the award. Its undisturbed patina and matched surface ageing form an important part of its collector appeal.
The photographs show several encouraging period features:
The photographs support identification as an original 1914 Iron Cross incorporated into a scarce 1939 repetition-clasp combination. However, because joined combinations can be assembled from separate original components, a final examination should inspect the junction beneath the clasp under magnification. That examination may help establish whether the combined mounting is unquestionably wartime or a later collector assembly.
The Iron Cross was renewed by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 5 August 1914. Germany subsequently reinstated the decoration on 1 September 1939.
Veterans who had already received the 1914 award did not receive a second identical cross. Instead, they received the 1939 Wiederholungsspange, which demonstrated renewed entitlement to the equivalent grade.
For the First Class, the clasp was normally worn above the 1914 Iron Cross on the left breast pocket. This combined example places both decorations on one fastening system, producing a particularly striking and uncommon display.
Explore further original pieces in the Nordmenn Militaria shop and compare other wartime awards, including the Original 1939 Silver Wound Badge.
For external comparison, Helmut Weitze documents both the standard clasp and the scarce attached one-piece configuration in its reference entry for a 1939 Clasp to the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. Further historical information appears in the specialist Ehrenzeichen und Orden reference.
Standard original 1939 First Class repetition clasps vary considerably in price according to maker, construction and condition. Current dealer comparisons range from approximately €700 to €1,950, while documented combined examples have previously been assessed around €1,700–€1,800.
Because this example combines a desirable S-W marked Sy & Wagner Iron Cross, an original-style 1939 clasp and the scarce single-pin configuration, I recommend:
The €2,250 asking price is defensible for a specialist retail listing, provided an in-hand examination confirms that the combined construction is period.
