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<p>[QUOTE="bangschr, post: 4579536, member: 77803"]Update: </p><p>Some more information on the Iron Cross after further research.</p><p><br /></p><p>There were 3 versions of the 1914 Iron Cross (not including the star): Grand Cross, Iron Cross 1st class, and Iron Cross 2nd class.</p><p><br /></p><p>The 1914 Iron Cross was originally produced as an iron cross with silver trim, but as the war progressed those metals were in short supply. The crosses were then made with an alloy and silver plated. A brass version was even made. </p><p><br /></p><p>The sizes of the 1st and 2nd class Iron Crosses ranged from 28-42mm. The Grand Cross was about 62mm. The crosses in the molds above are about 38mm (1.5in).</p><p><br /></p><p>Due to the size, it may not have been a Grand Cross. They might be for the 1st class. However, many photos of the Grand Cross show the small ring on top facing forward (the same as in the molds above) and the ring turned sideways on the 1st and 2nd class medals. This is because the Grand Cross was worn from the neck instead of pinned to the uniform. I wonder if the silver trim was added to the arms after their main form was cast. This would possibly bring the cross from these molds into the correct dimensions. I also wonder if I could track down an authentic 1914 Grand Cross and get actual measurements.</p><p><br /></p><p>One last thing: [USER=42]@terry5732[/USER] made a great point about the molds being made from bronze. Bronze has a lower melting point than iron. I'm not sure how bronze molds are used in casting but simply pouring molten iron into the molds would likely melt them. Maybe the process of casting prevented this. I honestly have no idea on this part. I plan to do some more research on this.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="bangschr, post: 4579536, member: 77803"]Update: Some more information on the Iron Cross after further research. There were 3 versions of the 1914 Iron Cross (not including the star): Grand Cross, Iron Cross 1st class, and Iron Cross 2nd class. The 1914 Iron Cross was originally produced as an iron cross with silver trim, but as the war progressed those metals were in short supply. The crosses were then made with an alloy and silver plated. A brass version was even made. The sizes of the 1st and 2nd class Iron Crosses ranged from 28-42mm. The Grand Cross was about 62mm. The crosses in the molds above are about 38mm (1.5in). Due to the size, it may not have been a Grand Cross. They might be for the 1st class. However, many photos of the Grand Cross show the small ring on top facing forward (the same as in the molds above) and the ring turned sideways on the 1st and 2nd class medals. This is because the Grand Cross was worn from the neck instead of pinned to the uniform. I wonder if the silver trim was added to the arms after their main form was cast. This would possibly bring the cross from these molds into the correct dimensions. I also wonder if I could track down an authentic 1914 Grand Cross and get actual measurements. One last thing: [USER=42]@terry5732[/USER] made a great point about the molds being made from bronze. Bronze has a lower melting point than iron. I'm not sure how bronze molds are used in casting but simply pouring molten iron into the molds would likely melt them. Maybe the process of casting prevented this. I honestly have no idea on this part. I plan to do some more research on this.[/QUOTE]
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