A basic guide to Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Classes (Ek1 & Ek2) and makers number list.
The Iron Cross is about as iconic and collectable as items come. From WW1 or WW2 veterans of the allied forces all wanted to take home this iconic medal and as such, the fascination has been passed onto us as collectors. Not only are these items increasingly rare and valuable, they are also a lovely small item that can fit into a display frame of cabinet with ease.
On this page we will cover the basics of both WW1 and WW2 Iron Cross medals (Eiserne Kreuz or EK) in both 1st and 2nd class variations. Plus then we have a master list of the currently known manufacturer marks from all variations of the medals. This list can become very handy. Firstly, because it is simply interesting to know where an item was manufactured and secondly, because it can dictate the value of the medal. Some makers only made a hand full of Iron Crosses, so in the modern collecting world, they can command a premium.
Word of warning before we begin!
When I was a teenager a well renowned dealer said to me “Around 5 million Iron crosses were manufactured during WW2, and only 20 million of them are still around today!” This of course makes no sense, but the meaning behind it does. Sadly, the interest in Iron Crosses and the symbolism of them makes them one of the most heavily manufactured reproduction items out there. Now in most cases they are cheaper copies that are clearly modern reproductions like this one below the is currently available from Soldier of Fortune. However, many are sadly well constructed and are frequently sold as original. (It is worth noting that some people are not aiming to deceive they just don’t know)
As such, it is always worth either speaking to someone who knows more on the subject, take advice or at the least, buy from a trusted source. Most reputable traders will happily take an item back if you aren’t happy with it. Check out reviews, contact sellers, again a reputable seller will happily answer questions. And finally, especially if you aren’t sure about the seller, pay on a credit card of via PayPal goods and services (This is often built into sellers website). Reserve Paypal friends and family for those you personally trust explicitly.
The WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class EK1
The Iron Cross was awarded for bravery in combat or other military contributions in the battlefield environment. To receive an Iron Cross 1st class, a soldier would have to repeat this feat multiple times. The 1st class EK1 was awarded around 163,000 times during WW1 and would have been worn on the breast of the awardees uniform. Originally it would have been awarded in a box however most we see these days are missing the box. Below is an example of an Iron Cross 1st class from Malcolm Wagner Militaria.
The WW1 Iron Cross 2nd Class Ek2
The second class Iron Cross was awarded far more frequently. With only one act of bravery in the battlefield environment needed, during WW1 they were handed out in huge numbers. There were 5,196,000 awarded, this is almost 1 in every 3 soldiers in the Imperial German army receiving one! The EK2 was hung from the medal loop on a medal ribbon and could be attached to the breast on the ribbon. Here is an example from The Militaria Shop.
The WW2 Iron Cross 1st & 2nd Classes (EK1 & EK2)
Much like the WW1 Iron Cross, the WW2 crosses were handed out for the same reasons and in similar numbers. However, the main changes were the date on the front and the ribbon colour plus of course the swastika being added. In terms of production, it was fairly similar. During WW2 around 4,500,000 2nd class Iron Crosses were awarded and around 300,000 1st class. Overall though, the medal didn’t change too much between the two wars. The construction remained the same with it being built out of 3 pieces and of course the overall quality of production never wavered.
Here are examples of the 1st and 2nd class medals. Photo credit goes to Rocksteady Militaria, IMCS Militaria & Antiquities of the Reich.
Iron Cross Makers Marks
Not all Iron Crosses are makers marked. It is worth pointing this out as I have known people suggest any unmarked cross is a copy. This is not true. Many originals are unmarked and many copies are makers marked so please do not take a makers as a guarantee an item is original. Below you will find a few makers lists of different medals from both wars. As collectors and historians we are always learning more from original documents and research so please be aware there are a few unknowns on the lists. If you have anymore information, please feel free to get in touch.
WW1 Iron Cross 1st Class – EK1 Makers Mark
| Marking | Maker Name | Factory Location |
| A | Assmann | Lüdenscheid |
| AWS | A. Werner & Sohne (See Manufacturer’s Marks) | Berlin |
| CD 800 | Carl Dillenius | Pforzheim |
| Deschler & Sohn | Deschler & Sohn Abzeichenfabrik | München |
| DEUTSCHER OFFIZIERSVEREIN | Deutscher Offiziersverein | Unknown |
| D.R.G.M. 653146 | Paul Meybauer | Berlin |
| Fr | Friedländer | Berlin |
| FR | Friedländer (?) | Berlin (?) |
| FR. SEDLATZEK BLN S.W. 68 | Friedrich Sedlatzek | Berlin |
| G | Godet & Sohn | Berlin |
| GD | Godet & Sohn | Berlin |
| GODET- BERLIN | Godet & Sohn | Berlin |
| M. HANSEN D.R.G.M. 650006 | M. Hansen | Unknown |
| H.B.G. | Unknown | Unknown |
| J | C. E. Junker | Berlin |
| J.H. WERNER BERLIN | J.H. Werner | Berlin |
| JWS | Johann Wagner & Sohn | Berlin |
| K.A.G. | Unknown | Unknown |
| K.M.S.T. (also seen as) K.M.S.t | Königliche Muenzamt Stuttgart | Stuttgart |
| KO | Königliches Münzamt Orden | Berlin |
| N | Neuhaus & Sohn | Unknown |
| S-W | Sy-Wagner | Berlin |
| V (possibly a “Y”?) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Y | Unknown | Unknown |
| W | Wagner | Berlin |
| we | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wilm | Wilm | Berlin |
| WS | Wagner & Sohn | Berlin |
| W & S | Wagner & Sohn | Berlin |
WW1 Iron Cross 2nd Class – EK2 Makers Marks
| Marking | Maker Name | Factory Location |
| + | Unknown | Unknown |
| A | Assmann | Lüdenscheid |
| AP | Unknown | Unknown |
| AWS | A. Werner & Sohne (See Manufacturer’s Marks) | Berlin |
| B | Unknown | Unknown |
| BD | Unknown | Unknown |
| BD 800 | Unknown | Unknown |
| C | Unknown | Unknown |
| CD | Unknown. Could be Carl Dillenius below? | Unknown |
| CD 800 | Carl Dillenius | Pforzheim |
| CR | Unknown | Unknown |
| D | Unknown | Unknown |
| E | Unknown | Unknown |
| ED | Unknown | Unknown |
| EW | Unknown | Unknown |
| F | Unknown | Unknown |
| D.R.G.M. 653146 | Paul Meybauer | Berlin |
| FO | Friedrich Orth (?) | Wien |
| Fr | Friedländer | Berlin |
| FR | Frank & Reif | Stuttgart |
| FW | Franz Xaver Wimmer | München |
| G | Godet & Sohn | Berlin |
| GD | Godet & Sohn | Berlin |
| H | Paul Hossauer | Berlin |
| HB | Unknown | Unknown |
| HB .800 | Unknown | Unknown |
| HBG | Unknown | Unknown |
| H.B.O. | Unknown | Unknown |
| I | Unknown | Unknown |
| IVI | Unknown | Unknown |
| IW | Iohann Wagner & Sohn (?) | Berlin |
| J | C. E. Junker | Berlin |
| JWS | Johann Wagner & Sohn | Berlin |
| K | Unknown | Unknown |
| K 800 | Unknown | Unknown |
| K 5 | Unknown | Unknown |
| K.A.G. | Unknown | Unknown |
| KAW | Unknown | Unknown |
| KC | Unknown | Unknown |
| KD | Unknown | Unknown |
| KM | Königliche Muenzamt Stuttgart | Stuttgart |
| KM .800 | Königliche Muenzamt Stuttgart | Stuttgart |
| KO | Königliches Münzamt Orden | Berlin |
| KO 800 | Königliches Münzamt Orden | Berlin |
| KP | Unknown | Unknown |
| L | Unknown | Unknown |
| LM | Unknown | Unknown |
| LV | Unknown | Unknown |
| LV 26 | Unknown | Unknown |
| LV 11 | Unknown | Unknown |
| LW | Unknown | Unknown |
| M | Unknown | Unknown |
| M+ | Unknown | Unknown |
| +M+ | Unknown | Unknown |
| +M+O | Unknown | Unknown |
| MEH | Unknown | Unknown |
| MFH | Unknown | Unknown |
| MM | Unknown | Unknown |
| N | Neun | Rösner, Sachsen |
| O | Unknown | Unknown |
| OSM | Unknown | Unknown |
| P | Unknown | Unknown |
| PH | Paul Hossauer | Berlin |
| Pr | Unknown | Unknown |
| PS | Unknown | Unknown |
| PS 800 | Unknown | Unknown |
| R | Alfred Rösner | Dresden |
| R.SCH. | Unknown | Unknown |
| RW | Unknown | Unknown |
| S | Heinrich Schneider (?), Schwartz (?), or Sedlazek (?) | Dresden (Schneider) |
| S-W | Sy-Wagner | Berlin |
| S-W 950 | Sy-Wagner | Berlin |
| T | Unknown | Unknown |
| U | Unknown | Unknown |
| V | Unknown | Unknown |
| W | Wagner | Berlin |
| Wa | Wagner (?) | Berlin |
| we | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wien | Unknown | Unknown |
| Wilm | H.R. Wilm | Berlin |
| Wilm 800 | H.R. Wilm | Berlin |
| WMS | Unknown | Unknown |
| WS | Walter Schott | Berlin |
| W & S | Wagner & Sohn | Berlin |
| Wu-S | Wagner & Sohn (?) | Berlin |
| Y | Unknown | Unknown |
| Z | Possibly “Zeich” | Berlin |
| ZS | Unknown | Unknown |
WW2 Iron Cross 1st Class – EK1 Makers Marks
| Marking | Maker Name | Factory Location |
| 1 | Deschler & Sohn | Munchen |
| 2 | C.E. Juncker | Berlin |
| 3 | Wilhelm Deumer | Lüdensched |
| 4 | Steinhauer & Lück | Lüdensched |
| 6 | Fritz Zimmermann | Stuttgart |
| 7 | Paul Meyhauer | Berlin |
| 8 | Ferdinand Hoffstadter | Unknown |
| 11 | Grossmann & Co. | Wien |
| 15 | Friedrich Orth | Wien |
| 20 | C.F. Zimmermann | Pforzheim |
| 25 | Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Graveur-Gold-und Silberschemiede-Innungen | Unknown |
| 26 | B. H. Mayer’s Kunst-prageanstalt | Pforzheim |
| 52 | Gottlieb & Wagner | Ldar/Oberstein |
| 65 | Klein & Quenzer A.G. | Idar/Oberstein |
| 100 | Rudolf Wachtler & Lange | Mittweida |
| 107 | Carl Wild | Hamburg |
| L/10 | Deschler & Sohn | Munchen 9 Wirthstrasse 9 |
| L/11 | Wilhelm Deumer | Lüdensched, Postfach 161 |
| L/12 | C.E. Junker | Berlin SW 68, Alte Jakobstr. 13 |
| L/13 | Paul Meybauer | Berlin SW 68, Alte Jakobstr. 13 |
| L/15 | Otto Schickle | Pforzheim |
| L/16 | Steinhauer & Lück | Lüdensched |
| L/18 | D.H. Mayer’s, Hofkunstprageanstalt | Pforzheim |
| L/19 | Ferkinand Hoffstatter | Bonn/Rhein Postfach 161 |
| L/50 | Gebr. Godet & Co. | Berlin W8 Jagerstr. 19 |
| L/52 | C.F. Zimmermann | Pforzheim |
| L/53 | Hymmen & Co. | Lüdensched Karlstr. |
| L/54 | Schauerte & Hohfeld | Lüdensched |
| L/55 | Wachtler & Lange Rudolf | Mittwaida/Sa. |
| L/56 | Funcke & Bruninghaus | Unknown |
| L/57 | Boerger & Co. | Berlin SO 16 Adalbertstr. 42 |
| L/58 | Rudolf Souval | Unknown |
| L/59 | Alois Rettenmaier | Schwabisch-Gmund Parlerstr. 27 |
WW2 Iron Cross 2nd Class – EK2 Makers Marks
| Marking | Maker Name | Factory Location |
| 1 | Deschler & Sohn | München |
| 2 | C.E. Juncker | Berlin |
| 3 | Wilhelm Deumer | Lüdenscheld |
| 4 | Steinhauer & Lück | Lüdenscheld |
| 5 | Hermann Wernstein | Jena-Lobstedt |
| 6 | Fritz Zimmermann | Stuttgart |
| 7 | Paul Meybauer | Berlin |
| 8 | Ferdinand Hoffstädter | Bonn |
| 11 | Grossmann & Co. | Wien |
| 12 | Frank & Reif | Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen |
| 13 | Gustav Brehmer | Markneukirchen/Sa |
| 16 | Alois Rettenmaler | Schwäblsch-Gmund |
| 15 | Friedrich Orth | Wien |
| 19 | E. Ferd Weidmann | Frankfurt/Main |
| 20 | C.F. Zimmermann | Pforzheim |
| 21 | Gebr. Godet & Co. | Berlin |
| 22 | Boerger & Co. | Berlin |
| 23 | Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Heereshedarf in der Graveur-ubd Ziselierung | Berlin |
| 24 | Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hanauer Plakettenhersteller | Hanau |
| 25 | Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Graveur-Gold-und Silverschmeide-Innungen | Hanau |
| 26 | B. H. Mayers Kunstprägesanstalt | Pforzheim |
| 27 | Anton Schenkls Nachfolger | Wien |
| 33 | Friedrich Linden | Lüdensched |
| 35 | F.W. Assmann und Söhne | Lüdensched |
| 40 | Berg & Nolte | Lüdensched |
| 41 | Gebrüder Bender | Oberstein/Nahe |
| 42 | Biedermann & Co. | Oberkassel bei Bonn |
| 44 | Jakob Bengel | Idar/Oberdonau |
| 49 | Josef Feix Söhne | Gablonz a.d.Neckar |
| 52 | Gottlieb & Wagner | Idar Oberstein |
| 55 | J.E. Hammer & Söhne | Geringswalde |
| 56 | Robert Hauschild | Pforzheim |
| 65 | Klein & Quenzer A.G. | Idar Oberstein |
| 66 | Freidrich Keller | Oberstein |
| 70 | Lind & Meyrer | Unknown |
| 75 | (Unknown) | Unknown |
| 76 | Ernst L. Müller | Pforzheim |
| 80 | G.H. Osang | Dresden |
| 93 | Richard Simm & Söhne | Gablonz a.d.Neckar |
| 94 | Adolf Scholze | Grünwald a.d.Neckar |
| 96 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 97 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 98 | Rudolf Souval | Wien |
| 100 | Rudolf Wächtler & Lange | Mittweida |
| 103 | Aug. G. Tam | Gablonz a.d. Neckar |
| 104 | Hein. Ulbricht’s Ww. | Kaufing bei Schwanenstadt |
| 106 | Brüder Schneider A.G. | Wien |
| 108 | Arno Wallpach | Salzburg |
| 109 | Walter & Hentein | Gablonz |
| 113 | Hermann Aurich | Dresden |
| 120 | Franz Petzl | Wien |
| 122 | JJ. Stahl | Strassburg |
| 123 | Beck, Hassinger & Co. | Strassburg |
| 125 | Eugen Gauss | Pforzheim |
| 128 | S. Jablonski Gmb H | Posen |
| 132 | Franz Reischauer | Oberstein |
| 137 | J.H. Werner | Berlin |
| 138 | Julius Maurer | Oberstein |
| 139 | Hymmen & Co. | Ludenscheid |
| L/11 | Wilhelm Deumer | Lüdensched, Postfach 161 |
| L/12 | C. E. Juncker | Berlin SW 68, Alte Jakobstr. 13 |
| L/14 | Friedrich Orth | Wien |