More about the product
An Iron Cross 1st Class award document dated 4 July 1940, issued to Oberleutnant Gutzschahn of Stab II./7. The certificate bears a large blue-ink signature attributed to Generalmajor Erwin Rommel and comes with a separate Detlev Niemann Guarantee of Authenticity.The document is presented in a black book-form display folder or frame. Its accompanying Niemann certificate includes a photograph of the award document, a written identification, signature and business stamp.
The award document
The printed text records the award of the “Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse”. The date appears as 4.7.1940, with the recipient entered as Oberleutnant Gutzschahn, Stab II./7.Beneath the award text, the signature sits above the designation “Generalmajor u. Div.-Kdeur.” A circular service stamp contains the number 13625. These entries are useful starting points for research because they connect the recipient, issuing headquarters and date on the same sheet.The catalogue identifies the unit as the staff of II. Battalion, Schützen-Regiment 7, within the 7. Panzer-Division. Rommel commanded that division during the 1940 campaign.
Recipient and research
The recipient is catalogued as Helmut Gutzschahn. The document itself gives his surname and rank; the first-name attribution rests on research into the officer serving with the battalion.Any proposed link to later records of a Hauptmann Helmut Gutzschahn should remain a research lead until a matching personnel file establishes the connection. A similar name and plausible promotion sequence are not enough to confirm later awards or appointments.The stamp number 13625 is recorded in the existing catalogue research as associated with the divisional command. Copies of the relevant Feldpost and personnel records would strengthen an evidence file retained with the document.
Accompanying Niemann certificate
The Detlev Niemann Guarantee of Authenticity identifies the document as an Iron Cross 1st Class 1939 award certificate, dated 4 July 1940, with Rommel’s signature in his capacity as divisional commander. Its photograph links that opinion to the paper offered here.A historical valuation of 1,450 Deutsche Mark appears on the certificate. It forms part of the accompanying record and should not be read as the present selling price. The document and Niemann certificate should be kept together.
Presentation and condition
The paper shows age toning, scattered spots and handling marks. Printing and typed entries remain legible, while the blue signature stands out clearly against the paper. The dark display cover carries a gilt eagle and decorative borders.The present mounting keeps the document flat and visible. Its reverse and any concealed mounting materials need separate examination if they are relevant to a purchasing decision. A paper conservator can advise on the suitability of the backing before the document is removed.
Related material
See our
military award documents and
Iron Cross collection. The
provenance guide covers keeping certificates, photographs and research notes with an object.Helmut Weitze’s
Iron Cross 1st Class award certificate provides an award-type comparison. It does not authenticate the signature or recipient of this document.
Enquire about the Gutzschahn document for further information about the paper and its accompanying certificate.
