Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class Hold With short length of ribbon

With short length of ribbon

the left side of the image overlaid by Kruse’s signature in blue ink

his actual date of birth was claimed to be September 15

In the following six months

This is one of the rarest veteran buckles

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class Hold With short length of ribbon(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a vaulted silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with an elongated block hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring