This estate belonging to Feldwebel Christfried Beckert brings together three significant military decorations of the Second World War alongside their accompanying documents, forming a compelling testament to the award hierarchy of Nazi Germany's armed forces. The grouping comprises the German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold), the Iron Cross 1st Class 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse), and the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse) — three decorations that collectively trace the progression of a frontline non-commissioned officer through successive levels of combat recognition.
The German Cross in Gold – Origins and Significance
The German Cross in Gold was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941 to fill a perceived gap in the decoration system between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It became Germany's second-highest combat decoration and was awarded for repeated acts of bravery or outstanding achievements in combat — with a rule of thumb of six to eight such acts. A prerequisite for the award was prior possession of the Iron Cross 1st Class 1939, the Clasp to the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class, or the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords. The German Cross existed in two divisions — Gold and Silver — with the Gold division designated for combat merit, ranking above the Iron Cross 1st Class but below the Knight's Cross.
The example in this estate was produced by C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim in the heavy version, representative of early production. Physically, it takes the form of an eight-pointed star breast badge approximately 63 mm in diameter, constructed of five separate parts. At its center lies a black enameled swastika on a silver disk with a red enameled border, surrounded by a golden laurel wreath bearing the year 1941, all mounted on eight blackened sunray points. The heavy Zimmermann version typically weighs between 60 and 70 grams, crafted from tombac or nickel for the wreath and backplate. The reverse displays four rivets and the manufacturer's code “20”, identifying C.F. Zimmermann, Pforzheim. This particular piece shows enamel damage and a repaired hook — wear consistent with field use.
The first German Cross in Gold was awarded on 18 October 1941, and awarding ceased on 10 March 1945. Notable recipients included Claus von Stauffenberg (awarded 8 May 1943) and Hans von Luck. Among its holders were 124 U-boat commanders and approximately 26 non-German Waffen-SS volunteers. The decoration's substantial size and conspicuous appearance earned it the sardonic nickname “Hitler's fried egg” (Hitlers Spiegelei) among some officers.
The Iron Cross 1939 – Tradition Renewed
The Iron Cross was re-instituted by Adolf Hitler on 1 September 1939, drawing on the legacy of the original Prussian decoration of 1813 while incorporating Nazi symbolism. It was issued in two standard classes, along with higher grades including the Knight's Cross and its variants. The Iron Cross 2nd Class recognized an individual act of bravery in the face of the enemy or actions above and beyond the call of duty. The Iron Cross 1st Class was awarded to personnel who had performed three to five acts of combat bravery and had already received the 2nd Class.
The Iron Cross 1st Class in this grouping features a non-magnetic core and a repaired hook. As a pin-back cross pattée worn on the left breast, its obverse bears the date 1939 on the lower arm with a central swastika, while the reverse carries the date 1813 commemorating the original institution. The Iron Cross 2nd Class, with its iron core, is suspended from its ribbon. Both crosses measure approximately 43.5 to 45 mm across the frame and are constructed with iron cores set within silver or German silver frames.
The Recipient and His Regiment
Feldwebel Beckert served with the 8th (Machine Gun) Company of Infantry Regiment 26 (8.(M.G.) I.R.26), which was part of the 30th Infantry Division. The regiment was established in 1934 at Flensburg as Infanterie-Regiment Flensburg, redesignated I.R.26 on 15 October 1935, and assigned to the 30th Infantry Division from October 1936. It served on the Eastern Front during Operation Barbarossa in 1941 and in subsequent campaigns. On 10 December 1942, the regiment was redesignated Füsilier-Regiment 26, and it was ultimately dissolved in October 1944 during the Baltic campaign.
The accompanying documents allow a precise reconstruction of Beckert's award chronology. His Iron Cross 2nd Class was awarded on 23 August 1941 — during the opening weeks of the Eastern campaign. The Iron Cross 1st Class followed on 24 March 1942. The provisional award certificate (Vorläufiges Besitzzeugnis) for the German Cross in Gold, signed by Keitel, is dated 15 January 1943. This progression across approximately seventeen months documents sustained combat performance recognized at increasingly higher levels. All three documents show signs of field handling: they are folded, punched, and trimmed.
Post-War Legacy and Collecting Significance
Following the Second World War, the wearing of decorations bearing Nazi swastika symbols was banned in Germany. In 1957, the Federal Republic of Germany authorized de-nazified replacement versions, with the German Cross's swastika replaced by an Iron Cross representation for the Gold division. Qualifying Bundeswehr members were permitted to wear the modified award on their ribbon bar. The Iron Cross itself became — and remains — the emblem of the Bundeswehr. The German Cross was never awarded again after 1945. A version with diamonds manufactured in 1942 was never officially instituted. Three examples of the German Cross are now held in the West Point museum collection.
As a complete grouping — three sequentially earned combat decorations accompanied by matching award documents traceable to a specific recipient, unit, and timeline — the Beckert estate offers collectors and historians a coherent narrative of frontline service and recognition within the Wehrmacht's decoration hierarchy.
