THE SPANGE (CLASP) FOR THE IRON CROSS 2.CLASS

Established 1 September 1939 this version of the Clasp to the Iron Cross – “Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz”-was Awarded by Nazi Germany to those Military personnel who had already received the Iron Cross (1914). The Clasp to the Iron Cross is a white metal medal clasp displayed on the uniforms of German Wehrmacht personnel who had been awarded the Iron Cross in World War I, and who again qualified for the decoration in World War II. During the WW2, over 100,000 clasps were awarded.

A holder of the 1914 Iron Cross could qualify for the same grade of the 1939 Iron Cross. To permit the two awards to be worn together, a “1939 Clasp” (Spange) was established to be worn with the original 1914 Iron Cross .It depics a national eagle clutching an oak leaf wreath surrounding a swastika above a trapezoid bearing the year 1939.

For the Second Class, the clasp was attached to the ribbon of the 1914 Iron Cross , either on a ribbon bar, or when the ribbon was worn through a tunic button hole.

Together with the other three books The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, The Iron Cross 1. Class, and The Iron Cross 2. Class these books are the most comprehensive and detailed series about the highest military order of the Third Reich in any language.

From B&D Publishing – for those who have not had one of their titles, they are, according to their publicity: “The most comprehensive and detailed reference books ever offered not only for collectors of the German awards of World War Two, but also for collectors of militaria-related items in general, and are unmatched in their innovative scientific approach to identifying genuine examples of Third Reich-era military decorations and equipment”. Looking at their titles, any reviewer would find it hard to argue with that statement.