Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (by Zimmermann)
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.GTR.0101.101.01.004
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A desirable and extremely scarce Grand Cross recovered from the famed Zimmermann Factory and subsequently cleaned; the only Zimmermann GC known to exist, this cross has a strong silver frame, intact iron core, measuring 62.99mm (w), 70.90 mm (h) and weighing 63.10 grams with loop; loop marked 800 and 20, remains very fine. Accompanied by 2 Certificates of Authenticity: Detlev Niemann & Dietrich Maerz.
Recovered from the bombed out Zimmermann factory: Zimmermann was a well known German manufacturer of a great variety of awards, German and International, and was destroyed in an allied bombing raid in the early 1940's on Pforzheim, Germany. Sometime in 1990, during construction on the site, a quantity of medals was discovered (about 50 kilos) and bought by eMedals. Some were in good condition, but most of the pieces exhibited fire damage, or were rusted and damaged. Hundreds of pieces were partially finished, and some items were just medal parts, as one would expect to be found in the factory.
The Iron Cross was originally founded in 1813, and was considered Germany’s highest military decoration. On September 1st, 1939, Adolf Hitler renewed the Order of the Iron Cross and instituted the decoration in four grades, II Class Iron Cross, I Class Iron Cross, Knight’s Cross and Grand Cross.
The 1939 Grand Cross was to be conferred upon senior field commanders whose leadership dramatically influenced the outcome of a major battle or campaign. It was conferred only once, upon Hermann Göring on July 19th, 1940, for the participation of the Luftwaffe in the campaigns in France and the Low Countries.
Göring’s original Grand Cross was destroyed and he replaced it with one composed of black onyx and platinum. The frame was crafted by Professor H. Zeitner, a goldsmith in Berlin.
The location of Göring’s Grand Cross is unknown.
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