Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Awarded for the Battle of Arras, by Sy & Wagner

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a wide barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the reverse bearing a finely-engraved dedication of “23. 4. 17. GAVRELLE”, the pinback maker marked with the logo of Sy & Wagner, Berlin, measuring 42.35 mm (w) x 42.55 mm (h), weighing 17.8 grams, an engagement-attributed example in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Gavrelle is a commune which sits within the Pas-de-Calais department of France, 6 miles northeast of the city of Arras. It was the site of a fierce battle which took place from 23-24 April 1917, as part of the wider Battle of Arras, when the British 63rd (Royal Naval) Division captured the village and surrounding high ground. Additional fighting for the area at the end of April resulted in one of the worst single-day casualty tallies in the history of the Royal Marines.