The Argonne Cross was issued around 1920 by the Honorary Union of Saxon Participants in the World War/Friendly Union of German Fighters of the Eastern and Western Fronts in Chemnitz. In memory of the bloody battle of World War I, this alliance of war veterans also established the Somme Cross (yellow-black), which issued the Verdun Cross (black and white) and the Champagne Cross (blue-black). For the fighters of the Eastern Front, a green enameled cross of a different shape was presented. 2 manufacturers are known who were responsible for the supply of various crosses. The first manufacturer was Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg. (the cross shown here) the 2nd manufacturer was Eugen Lügde, Düsseldorf. The Argonne Cross is only known from the manufacturer Fleck & Sohn. Whether there was a change of supplier during the rental period or both manufacturers supplied simultaneously to my personal taste, I do not know. Different in appearance crosses of the Cheap, straight crosses at the Champagne and Verdun cross and straight crosses with medium rounding at the Somme cross are less common.
These commemorative crosses were received and paid for by the participant himself, that is, no state awards. Nevertheless, they were gladly worn and endured even on the braces. The rarity also makes them very attractive to collectors, as well as expensive. Often with appropriate combat tether.
The cross is silver-plated with rounded ends made of non-ferrous metal with a middle shield worn. Cruciform arms along the edge are sheathed with black enamel and silver. The inner sides of the cruciform sleeves are enameled in dark red. In the upper cruciform shoulder, a pressed ear with a small ring and a bandage ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
.
Front: Argonne Cross
Reverse: Argonne Cross
Awards of World War II