Germany, Federal Republic. A Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, Early 1957 Version

(Ritterkeuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). Constructed of silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened core situated within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an an integral loop retaining a suspension ring featuring a shortened length of neck ribbon, both the twelve o’clock arm of the cross and the suspension ring stamped with silver content numbers of “800”, the cross measuring 47.01 mm (w) x 53.08 mm (h), weighing 24.9 grams (inclusive of suspension ring), demonstrating minor loss of finish to the core, an early and fine-quality example produced according to the regulations of 1957 and commonly purchased by both veteran recipients and early collectors, in extremely fine condition.