Description
Product Description: We are pleased and happy to be able to offer this Klein and Quenzer Knights Cross to the market today. This Klein and Quenzer Knights Cross is made of three separate pieces. The “800” silver stamped frame remains in near mint to excellent condition. The beading has all the factory flaws that collectors want to see on genuine Klein and Quenzer produced Knights Crosses, most prominently the flaw at the top of the upper left 10 o’clock curved arm. The frame has extremely light patina in areas. The central blacked core remains in factory condition with no paint chips or damage. The date and swastika of the core is textbook for Klein and Quenzer produced pieces. The upper reverse of the frame is stamped with the silver content of “800” silver. The distinctive “donut” style suspension eyelet, commonly associated with Klein and Quenzer, is firmly soldered to the frame of the cross with no damage. The ribbon loop of the cross is also marked with the “800” silver stamp as well as the “65” stamp, which is the PKZ number for the manufacturer Klein and Quenzer. The cross is housed in the typical case associated with the Klein an Quenzer firm. The outer black leatherette exterior of the case coincides with the condition of the cross, excellent to near mint, with no scuffs or damage to note. The typical late war tombak push button, with reinforcing grommet, is intact and functional. The rear hinge is also intact with no damage, and fully functional. The interior of the case is black velvet flocked without damage, as well as the white artificial silk lid lining. A full length, and wartime original, Knights Cross ribbon accompanies the set. The cross and ribbon reside nicely inside the original case. In today’s market, a cased Knights Cross is now a rare occurrence. Don’t miss the opportunity on this Cased Klein and Quenzer Knights Cross!!
Historical Description:The German Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Instituted on September 1st, 1939, the Knights Cross has come to be known as one of the most recognized awards of World War Two and Germany. Awarded for extreme individual acts of bravery during combat, or successful battlefield leadership resulting in extraordinary success, the Knights Cross and its subsequent grades were among the German Military’s most prestigious decorations. The Knights Cross, suspended by a black, red, and white ribbon, was worn around the neck. Prior to the Knights Cross, Germany’s highest military, the Pour Le Merit, was reserved for Officers. The highest bravery awards an enlisted man could obtain was the Iron Cross 1stClass. Keeping with the National Socialist idea, and the breaking of the old Prussian aristocratic ways, Adolf Hitler created an award which, for the first time in the history of the Iron Cross, every member of Germany’s armed forces was eligible to be awarded, provided the requirements of awarding had been met. The awarding process determining whether a soldier was worthy of the award, began as a recommendation at the company level. This recommendation was then reviewed and either approved or denied. Upon approval, it would continue through the appropriate chain of command. If approval continued through unopposed, the recommendation ultimately ended in the hands Adolf Hitler, with himself making the final judgment. Most recommendations did not reach Adolf Hitler, or were lost in the chaos of war. The Knights Cross was awarded 7,364 times during the war. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 Knights Crosses were produced between September 1939 to May 1945.
Keeping with the rich heroic history of the Iron Cross, the Knights Cross was also constructed of three separate pieces, a core and two outer frames. The obverse displaying a rotating swastika in the center with the date “1939” for the year of introduction during the present conflict, and the reverse featuring only the date “1813” for the first year of the institution of the Iron Cross. The core, made of iron, zinc, or brass, was placed between the two outer silver frames and delicately hand soldered together. The cross was then suspended by a large loop through the frames top eyelet. A ribbon of black, white, and red was then threaded through the suspension loop. The production of the Knights Cross was strictly regulated, and only after the company’s granted approval by the government, were they legally allowed to produce the Knights Cross. In 1941, the German Government restricted the sale of the Knights Cross only to those with proper documentation proving their eligibility.
Wartime manufacturers of Knights Crosses are Juncker, Steinhauer & Luck, Klein & Quenzer, Otto Schickle, C.F. Zimmermann, Gebruder Godet, Unknown “3/4 Ring”.
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