The Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer (Honor Cross for Combatants - or the Hindenburg Cross) was instituted on 13 July 1934 by the German Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg.  It was awarded retroactively to the veterans of the Imperial German military who had fought at the front during World War I.  The vast majority were officially distributed in late-1934 to early-1936 and were accompanied by an award certificate.  The most common certificate was a pre-printed form about 13 1/2cm  x 17 1/2cm which had their typed personal data and the stamped seals varied according to issue authority - normally the local Polizeipräsident - and the Cross was issued in a small (roughly 4cm x 8cm) brown envelope.  After the annexation of Austria in 1938, WWI veterans of that country were also deemed eligible under the same terms as the German veterans.  By many estimates, a total of approximately 6,250,000 Honor Crosses for Combatants were awarded.  There were 2 other versions of this Cross which are not covered in this particular guide (for non-combatants and for next-of-kin).

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer

The Cross was designed by Eugen Godet and the final design was approved in early-1934.  The basic shape is similar to the German Iron Cross (although smaller at 3.7cm in width).  The die struck bronze colored Cross is manufactured from an iron alloy which is very responsive to a magnet test.  A tri-curled loop for the suspension ring is an integral part and is not affixed, rather it's formed after the Cross is struck.  The obverse has the date 1914-1918 centered, surrounded with an oak leaf wreath bundled with a ribbon at the bottom, and has a pair of crossed swords extending diagonally upwards (left and right) and outward with the hilt lower-most.  The reverse is flat and plain except for the maker's embossed mark.  

The ribbon is exactly the same as for the Iron Cross except for the addition of a central red stripe - the same width as the white stripe.  The original ribbon was a little over 3cm wide (3.01cm to 3.09cm) and had a fine silk weave with an intricate weft design.  Replacement ribbons can be made of most any material - with a poly based weave and minimal weft design being the most common current production, making it almost twice as thick as the original silk ribbon!  A crossed swords device was not officially worn on the full size ribbon.

When worn on a ribbon bar, the ribbon is miniature (about 1/2 scale, depending on the manufacturer) and can be found mounted in various styles.  A distinguishing double prong back crossed swords device (normally of a metal and color similar to the Cross) is worn centered.  The ribbon was never officially worn in full size on a ribbon bar.

Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer ribbon bar

This particular German medal is fairly low priced and is very rarely subject to forgery or copies.  The most common copy is cast and then painted, making it fairly obvious to most collectors.  A common original brings about $15 -$25 (with original ribbon but no mount or certificate).  Missing the suspension ring, damaged, repaired or anything less than a servicable medal basically renders it valueless with about $5 - $10 being the absolute most optimistic price (if it can be sold at all) .  As a general rule, with it mounted on an original brass-plate the value might go $5 higher.  Like all medals, if it's documented to a particular recipient the price will exceed these estimates.  I would caution you to be wary of any rare Hindenburg Crosses based solely on the maker's mark.  Almost every manufacturer produced these in the thousands.  The smallest known production run was still over 1,000.  Survivability and desirability are different issues which are not covered in this guide since they are issues for speciality collectors and are subject to scholarly studies.  

When preparing to bid on eBay for a Hindenburg Cross you should consider the condition, maker's mark, ribbon, any extras, and definately the reputation and return policy of the seller.  Pass on those that state no returns or will accept it back only if proven to be a fake or those with questionable feedback.   Ask all question prior to bidding and if you're fortunate enough to win, contact the seller with payment arrangements in a timely manner.   As a final tip:  Do not assume that a Hindenburg Cross in a medal group holds the same value as one by itself - these are entirely different and you can't just add together of the medals to equal the price of a group, the group tells a story of service and is more highly valued in the collector community. 

If you found this guide helpful in any way, a Yes vote would be appreciated and it will help in establishing the level of interest for further similar guides.  Please see my other guides and blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) for further information.   Thanks for viewing!