In Depth: The Knight's Cross

Editor's Note: this is a condensed article from pages 286 to 294 of The Iron Time that covers general information concerning the Knight’s Cross. Therefore individual and specific nuances of makers are not fully explored. Photo suppliments in The Iron Time provide additional practical information for the collector.

The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was a product of the voracious hunger for symbolism inseparable from its creator, Adolf Hitler. In former times, kaisers never envisioned the common fighting man obtaining any decoration that would bring him within reach of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. From Hitler’s “man in the street” philosophy sprung an award that elevated the deeds of “mere commoners” to, in sporting vernacular, Hall of Fame status. Even picture postcards of Ritterkreuzträger (Knight’s Cross holders) were created, and the youth of Nazi Germany could swap a “Rommel” for a “Galland” much like today’s kids swap collector’s cards.

The struggle of ideologies replaced those of religions. Soldiers of the West, led by men wearing the Knight’s Cross, would be the bulwark against bolshevism. The only result could be victory. Defeat, just as in the days of crusading knights, was unthinkable.

From a military standpoint, the common fighting man aspired to earning medals, and many longed to wear a Knight’s Cross under the collar of their tunic. Soldiers referred to this strong desire as Halsschmerzen, or having a “sore throat.” It was not so much a joking reference, since any officer hoping to receive the award might be tempted to push his men into a situation none could survive. Nevertheless, those who earned the Knight’s Cross were truly respected and made to know it.

By war’s end, the Knight’s Cross family was tiered in five levels. However, it did not start out that way. With the reinstitution of the Iron Cross on September 1, 1939, Hitler established only that “ The Knight’s Cross is larger than the Iron Cross Second Class and is worn on a wide black, white and red ribbon around the neck.”

The next higher award in ranking up to that time was the Grand Cross. In succeeding sections, we will discuss each level of the Knight’s Cross as they were created to fill the expanse between the Ritterkreuz and Grand Cross—a gap no one knew existed until the heroic exploits of Germany’s soldiers proved otherwise.

Knight’s Cross Examined

As the Third Reich’s premier award for combat service, the Knight’s Cross was designed and produced to reflect the aspirations of a nation. It was larger than the Iron Cross Second Class that it so closely resembled (48mm (W x H) as compared to 44mm). Manufacturing was strictly supervised by the LDO. Since this award was being created for the first time in history, production of a prototype was carefully planned and limited to one firm, Steinhauer & Lück of Lüdenscheid. The little town of Lüdenscheid has always been known as a jeweler’s mecca.

Throughout the war, officially awarded crosses were produced by a trio of firms, C.E. Juncker of Berlin; Deschler & Sohn of Munich; and Steinhauer & Lück. Additional manufacturers were later added to include Klein & Quenzer of Idar/Oberstein and C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim.

Although a small assortment of makers’ marks are found on Knight’s Crosses, many simply have a silver content stamp located on the reverse upper arm, just below the eyelet for the ribbon ring. Standard award pieces are marked “800.” This silver content mark also applies to the clip of silver wire that attaches the 45mm wide ribbon to the decoration. Rarer crosses bare the numbers “900” and “935,” but it is assumed these are private purchase items. If LDO numbers are indicated (typically “L/12”), this could indicate the award was a private purchase item. However, on many occasions the “L” version was used as the official award piece.

For special presentation to senior officers, an extremely rare Godet Iron Cross set was produced that also included the Knight’s Cross. These finely made articles are slightly thinner and lighter than a standard cross and have “21” stamped onto the ribbon loop. The oversized presentation case was of red leather with a gold embossed eagle on the lid. In wartime photos, Hitler is sometimes seen making a personal bestowal of this special Iron Cross set.
The stamps manufacturers applied to the Knight’s Cross and its higher ranking brethren can be more than a little confusing to the average collector. For example, C.E. Juncker is famous for their maker’s mark. It came in three incarnations labeled the micro, lazy and stand up “2.” In addition, L/12 also represented the firm.

Steinhauer & Lück is a “4.” This has been documented. But what is not typically known is that the “4” sits inside a mortise. Throw in the fact that L/16 also represents Steinhauer, but is never found on a Knight’s Cross and you can see that, in reality, the picture is not completely crystal clear. To simplify the process, consider all maker’s marks with an “L” (LDO) prefix as
interchangeable private purchase or official purchase award items. All stamped numbers without a letter prefix, i.e. “21,” are known as “Präsidialkanzlei” (Office of the President) marks. Often, the same manufacturer used both according to the regulations for producing officially awarded and privately purchased decorations. Therefore, C.F. Zimmermann could produce awards for the government as “20” or “L/52” and for individuals as “L/52.” Since the Präsidialkanzlei was responsible for awarding medals and the LDO (which reported to the Präsidialkanzlei) for overseeing the production process, how and why the numbers were sometimes changed, eliminated or anonymous is a matter of conjecture.

Like tattoos on a person, the collector scrutinizes the much copied Knight’s Cross for signs that identify the real thing from those made ten, twenty, or even fifty years after the death of Nazi Germany. Some elements common to all authentic crosses are the silver content stamp on the silver wire ribbon clip. A fat “donut” shaped eyelet signifies the maker as Klein & Quenzer, and should have a corresponding number “65” on the ribbon clip. On the Cross’s reverse, all stamps are found on the top flange of the upper arm. Commonly, the eyelet has a seam running along its edge as evidence it is integrated into the frame construction, and not just soldered on top as a separate piece. However, there is an example with a three-quarter round eyelet, although the maker is unknown. Details of the center core are very crisp, with a slightly beveled swastika.

Recent evidence suggests details of the height of the swastika and the date 1939’s individual numbers are unique to each manufacturer. Unmarked Knight’s Crosses are known to exist that are quite authentic, but their centers are not magnetic.

There are many other details that may or may not merit mention. The problem is, many people banter on about what is correct and what is not. In the end, an original piece is often discovered that contradicts this or that “absolute.” It must always be remembered that many awards made during the Second World War had a production run of years. Changes in processes, dies and regulations took place making one day’s rules another’s exceptions.

© Stephen Previtera 2002