maltese cross 1914 ?

[dandan]

I dug this recently in a colonial yard that is close to a church. It had an eyelet at the top that's been broken off. I know that 1914 was the first yr of the "great war" but not much else regarding this piece. I do love the military stuff and am hoping this is such. Anybody?

 

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[Breezie]

I think it's a military German Iron Cross, which was only awarded during wartime. Neat find Breezie

 

[GatorFrog]

I dug this recently in a colonial yard that is close to a church. It had an eyelet at the top that's been broken off. I know that 1914 was the first yr of the "great war" but not much else regarding this piece. I do love the military stuff and am hoping this is such. Anybody?

Breezie is right on... it is an Iron Cross but I don't think this was a medal. I think the actual medal would have a W in the center of the cross...

 

[baywalker]

Looks awful big and heavy to be a metal ,I hope it isn't part of a grave marker?

Jonnie

 

[Retired Sarge]

What I believe we have here is a novelty item, representing the WWI Iron Cross 2nd class (Due to having the attachment for a ribbon that is broken). This cross would be about 3 inches or so in size. Popular with bikers and surfers in the 60's/70's. Original ones on the front would have a crown on the top, the letter W in the middle, 1914 date on the bottom. The back would have a crown on the top with the letters FW under the crown, oak leaves in the middle, 1813 date on bottom.

The Iron Cross 1st Class would be a pin back, and have only manufacture markings and stamps on the rear.

WWII Iron Crosses 2nd class have on the front a Swastika in the middle, 1939 date on the bottom, The back would have the 1813 date on the bottom. The 1st class would be a pin back and not have the date on the back.

Mike
USAF Retired

 

[uglymailman]

"W" stands for Wilhelm II, prussian emperor together with the crown and 1914 he donated the iron cross again like his forerunners did in 1813 and 1870 and it became a german medal then instead of a prussian. It was donated again when WWII started with 1939 on it. So You can see the iron cross has a far longer history than You might think. The Iron Cross itself is based on a cross knights used on their flags in the 14th century.
The above is from Westfront in answer to another object. Don't know why there is no W. Might post in battlefield relic forum. Nice find.

 

[Retired Sarge]

See the following link for a discussion on novelty Iron Crosses, cross exactly like the OP's cross is posted there.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/imperial-germany-austro-hungary/1914-iron-cross-11054/

Mike
USAF Retired

 

[hammered]

I think Mike got this one , I surfed in the 70's in Cornwall and some of the guys had the same cross, or at least very similar


hammered

 

[dandan]

the only thing that throws me is that it was 6 in. down in a colonial yard. It would appear the mystery has been solved though! thanks folks!