Blackened ‘Kriegsmetall’ zinc alloy cross pattée with laurel wreath between the arms, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the ‘FA’ cipher of Grand Duke Friedrich August, the Oldenburg crown on the upper arm, the lower arm bearing the date ‘1914’; the reverse plain; on replaced correct ribbon.
The Cross was instituted on 24 September 1914 for all ranks and was the Grand Duchy’s equivalent of the Prussian Iron Cross for bravery in the field.
The Cross was initially produced in blackened iron but as wartime shortages impinged, ‘Kriegsmetall’ zinc alloy was substituted, as in this example.
|