Wiederholungsspange 1. Klasse 1939, Hst. L/56 (Funcke & Brüninghaus, Lüdenscheid)

Tombak/brass based and in a very good, barely worn condition with all of the matt silver plate still present. The swastika and high points burnished and all with some patina.
Marked on the reverse of the left wing with „L/56“ for the company of Funcke & Brüninghaus, Lüdenscheid (F&BL).
Very difficult to find maker.

The repetition clasp was confirmed at the same time as the the renewal of the Iron Cross on September 1, 1939 by the Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler.
Winners of the Iron Cross 1st Class from 1914, who performed a deed or deeds worthy of an Iron Cross did not receive a second Iron Cross 1st Class but a repetition clasp 1st class 1939.
The repetition clasp 1st class was worn over the Iron Cross 1914, but there are also variants in which the clasp and iron cross are firmly connected. The clasp then sits on the Iron Cross (so-called „combi clasp“). A distinction is made between 2 forms in production. The 1st form of the clasps shows a trapezoidal date plate with the ends slightly rounded inwards. The second form has straight ends to the date. The clasp made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal (early) or zinc (late). The clasps of the 1st class vary in size between 44 mm and 46 mm width depending on the manufacturer.
Front: Below an inverted trapezoid with a raised polished edge. The raised polished year „1939“ on a finely grained ground. A wreath of oak leaves tied at the bottom. The swastika standing on its point is enclosed in a finely grained field. The wreath is held by an eagle facing right, wings outstretched.
Reverse: smooth, with pin or screw plate for attachment, possibly also a manufacturer code.