Knights Cross with Oakleaves 1957 Issue

Postage UK free. Overseas £10

A very clean example of the 1957 version of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

Following World War II, the West German government passed the Ordensgesetz in 1957, which allowed veterans to wear their wartime decorations provided the swastika was removed and replaced with a "denazified" design.

Key Features of this Example:
Design: The central swastika from the 1939 original is replaced by a three-leaf oak cluster, which was the design used for the 1813 and 1914 Iron Crosses. The "1939" date remains at the bottom to signify the original institution of the award during that conflict.

Construction: this is a three-piece construction, consisting of a black-finished iron or zinc core sandwiched between two silver-colored frames.

Oak Leaves Attachment: The Oak Leaves (Eichenlaub) cluster serves as the suspension link for the neck ribbon.

Hallmarks: The "800" mark visible on the reverse of the Oak Leaves indicates the silver purity (800/1000 parts silver). This is a common marking for high-quality pieces produced by manufacturers like Steinhauer & Lück (S&L) or C.E. Juncker during the post-war era.

Historical Context
These "1957 versions" are highly collectible in their own right. Early production pieces (made in the late 50s and 60s) generally feature higher-quality finishes and "frosted" silver frames compared to later production runs from the 1980s.