German WWII Cased Screw Back Iron Cross First Class 1939

German WWII Cased Screw Back Iron Cross First Class 1939-Scarce offering, as this is a beautiful example marked L55 on the reverse. This was the contract awarded to Rudolf Wächtler & Lange of Mittweida. The black finish is mostly intact on this piece, and the silver frame has a very nice tone. This is a screw back variation. This is nestled in its original black leatherette case of issue which is LDO marked under the lid. The case shows some wear near the inside hinge, and the outside shows the usual bumps and bruises. Overall the case and medal are in very good condition.History: On March 10th, 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Crosses were reinstituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19th, 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5th, 1914, by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1ST 1939 Hitler once more reinstituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The first-class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat and had already been awarded the Iron Cross second class.