German Awards - Iron Cross 1st Class 1914 with Sliding Bolt KMST

Iron Cross 1. A class is a privately purchased item. With an extremely rare sliding bolt needle lock, this option is very high quality and rare. Sliding-clasp crosses are highly sought after by collectors and accordingly expensive. The sole manufacturer of this variant was the Royal Mint in Stuttgart. The manufacturer of the KMST, believed to be the Royal Stuttgart Mint, proposed several unusual needle systems or fuse mounting options for iron crosses. Emperor and King William II. Established the Iron Cross for World War I on August 5, 1914. The renewal of the Iron Cross in World War I consists of the 3rd class of the Grand Cross, 1st class and 2nd class. In 1918, Field Marshal Paul von Beneckendorf and Hindenburg as special uniforms were awarded the Star of the Iron Cross with Gold Rays. The Iron Cross was "reburied" until 1924. This concerned, in particular, prisoners of war, unfulfilled petitions from the war and subsequent petitions. The deadline for applications was set for 31.05.1924.
Purchased items were offered by many manufacturers until the 1930s.

The cross consists of a silver border and a silver back, which is soldered to it. The front part of the coffin has a raised, located inside, 2-step edge, from which the inner edge is shaded with a semicircular and small transverse stroke. Between them is an inner cross of blackened iron (magnetic).

Front side:

In the
• center of the iron core is an elevated letter - W -
• On the upper cross sleeve towered the Prussian royal crown.
• On the lower cross sleeve, the year increases - 1914.

Downside:

A soldered
• needle system with a sliding needle attachment mechanism is located perpendicularly in the center.
• On the left cruciform shoulder, the manufacturer's marking increases - K - M - S - T -.
• On the right cruciform shoulder rises - D - R - G - M - (Deutsches Reichsgebuschmuster).

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