camelneck Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 I recently ran across a photo of a replica of "The Hessen Order of the Iron Helmet" (Orden vom Eisernem Helm) and I was intrigued. However, I've scoured the Internet and can find very little information about this cross other than the following tidbits (see below). I was hoping someone could provide some additional information about this award including 1) what was it awarded for (bravery, merit, service, etc.), 2) when was it last awarded (Franco-Prussian War, WW1, etc.), and 3) when was the 2nd version of this order first awarded. Here are the tidbits that I found. (This exact same information appears on nearly every website I found.) >>It was established on 18 March 1814 by Elector Wilhelm I of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel). Maximilian Gritzner describes the model and the statutes of the order as "influenced by the example of the Iron Cross". There were two versions of this award: 1st version had a knight's helmet-type device attached to a two-tone silver cross bottony (trefoil) while 2nd version had same device but this time it was attached to a silver cross cross pattée instead of a cross bottony." Special thanks to anyone that can help me out. I really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 It was awarded for services rendered during the war against France It had 3 classes: Grand Cross, Knight 1st Class and Knight 2nd Class, but it appears only an undifferentiated Knight was ever made/awarded. The ribbon is a reddish-purple with white edge stripes. The first type of badge (1814) is described as a Brabant cross (the trefoil ends one), the second type is a German cross, issued in 1815. Awards ceased in 1816, with there being some 147 awards in total. Sorry, that's all I have to contribute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camelneck Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 Thanks for the info Megan. This was very helpful and I really appreciate it. Having a life of 3 years or less and with only 147 awarded, I can see why this award is so obscure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David M Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) If you need data on the Iron Helmet. Look here https://davidmueldner.wordpress.com/oeh/ Edited February 20, 2017 by David M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megan Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Interesting, thank you for sharing, David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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