The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross: Origin and Markings
Despite its problematic history during the Third Reich, the porcelain
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross – not to be confused with the Iron Cross 2nd Class – was produced by only five manufacturers in total. The number of variants is therefore manageable. The following manufacturers and markings are known today:
- CE Juncker, Berlin
Manufacturer code L/12, or 2 - Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid
Manufacturer code 4 - Klein & Quenzer AG, Oberstein
Manufacturer code 65 - Fritz Zimmermann, Stuttgart
Manufacturer code L/52 - Otto Schickle, Pforzheim
Manufacturer code L/15
However, unmarked crosses are also known from all five manufacturers.
The "L" in the codes stands for LDO, which in turn stands for the Association of German Medal Manufacturers. Codes without the "L" are the code numbers of the Führer's Presidential Chancellery.
The Allach manufactory is of great interest to collectors. Militaria-Berlin offers a wide variety of these special objects: soldier and animal figurines, plates, and jugs. In addition to selling these items, Militaria-Berlin is also interested in purchasing items from estates, household liquidations, or other stocks.
Production
CEJunker
Juncker crosses were usually marked with the coded manufacturer's abbreviation "L/12," or later with "2." The silver hallmark "800" is usually also found next to them. The silver hallmark is usually also found on the Juncker jump ring. These hallmarks are very distinctive and important for determining authenticity.
Steinhauer & Luck
The crosses from Steinhauer & Lück are generally not marked. They usually only bear the silver hallmark "800" on the frame and the jump ring. This "800" hallmark is available in two versions: the so-called standard hallmark and the micro hallmark.
Very late pieces, probably no longer issued, are marked with the manufacturer's code "4." These late pieces bear the silver hallmark "935" in addition to the manufacturer's code "4."
Klein & Quenzer
Knight's Crosses made by Klein & Quenzer bear only the silver hallmark "800" on the frame. Early crosses also bear only the silver hallmark "800" on the spring ring; later versions also bear the manufacturer's code "65."
Carpenter
Crosses from Zimmermann are usually marked with the manufacturer code “L/52”.
Otto Schickle
Otto Schickle's Knight's Crosses are largely unmarked. Neither a silver hallmark nor a maker's code can be found on them. However, individual crosses bearing the maker's code "L/15" are known.
