216 Important Prototype of the Breast Star to the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Iron Cross with Gold Rays).
The gilt breast star die struck in tombac. The separately applied Iron Cross with iron core with silver-plated frame. Fixed on the back with two hollow rivets.
Reverse fitted with pin for wearing. With maker's mark: "DESCHLER & SOHN".
Diameter: 91 mm.
The Iron Cross with Golden Rays (Grand Cross Star) has been the highest class of the Order since the original foundation of the Iron Cross in 1813.
It has only been awarded twice in history. The first award was made by the Prussian King Frederick William III on 26 June 1815 to the Prussian Field Marshal Prince Blücher for his services in the Battle of Belle Alliance (Waterloo) on 18 June 1815.
The second award was made by Kaiser Wilhelm II to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg on 25 March 1918.
No award was made during the war against France in 1870/1871.
Presumably, when Adolf Hitler renewed the Iron Cross as an Order in 1939, an award of this special grade was also planned.
Accordingly, prototypes were produced by some jewellers on behalf of the Presidential Chancellery.
The Museum of the US Military Academy West Point owns a prototype in its original case from Klessheim Castle (the last location of the stock of the Presidential Chancellery). The Iron Cross 1st Class is also attached to this piece by hollow rivets, as is the case with the example offered here.
The design of the star rays of the Klessheim piece, probably made by C.F. Zimmermann in Pforzheim, is different from our specimen, whose rays are very similar to the star rays of the Grand Cross Star of the Order of the German Eagle.
In his book "The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross" Richmond 2007, p. 340 pp, Dietrich Maerz depicts another prototype, again completely different and atypical in manufacture. In this example, too, the Iron Cross support is attached to the star body by two hollow rivets.
Highly interesting and for the history of the Iron Cross important prototype breast star.
In our opinion of absolutely original pre 1945 manufacture and a piece of the greatest rarity.