German Iron Cross 1870 1st Class

This is a most interesting private-purchase example of the 1870 Iron Cross 1st Class. It is, of course, of the flat, or non vaulted, variety. What really makes this example unique is that it is has four loops on the reverse to sew it onto a tunic as opposed to being the more commonly seen pinback. This system of affixing the Iron Cross to the tunic was used for 1813 Iron Crosses, which sometimes used four and eight loops. This system was used from time to time for 1914 Iron Crosses, but rarely. There is no manufacturer hallmarking on this Iron Cross. The cross and the patina to it exhibit honest wear. A very unusual example compared with the more commonly seen Godet and Wagner 1870 Iron Crosses. This Iron Cross really has a lot of personality.