Germany, Imperial. A Long Service Medal Bar for a Boxer Rebellion and First World War Combatant

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for a distinguished combatant of the Boxer Rebellion and First World War who rendered lengthy military service spanning the period of the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich, featuring eight awards, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with three central oak leaves, the six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 42.24 mm (w) x 45.94 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, I Class with Swords, constructed of gilded copper with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse overlaid by a central black enameled medallion bearing a monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a sword clasp and ornate suspension with a loop and eyelet connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 43.34 mm (w) x 51.83 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, II Class with Crown and Swords, constructed of silvered alloy with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse overlaid by a central black enameled medallion bearing a monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a sword clasp and culminating in a crown suspension with a loop and eyelet connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 42.12 mm (w) x 65.09 mm (h), demonstrating moderate loss of silver plating and minor flecking to the enamels, in very fine condition.

4. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of Carl Poellath, Schrobenhausen, measuring 37.56 mm (w) x 43.28 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 31.90 mm (w) x 43.70 mm (h), demonstrating loss of gilt finish throughout the base metal, in better than very fine condition.

6. A China Medal for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a double-sided circular laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a depiction of a German national eagle grappling with a Chinese national eagle, the reverse bearing a central monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, circumscribed by inscriptions of “DEN SIEGREICHEN STREITERN” (“TO THE VICTORIOUS FIGHTERS”) and “1900 - CHINA - 1901”, unmarked, measuring 32.71 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

7. A Wehrmacht 25-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central number “25”, unmarked, measuring 40.07 mm (w) x 44.83 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. A Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “25”, unmarked, measuring 30.32 mm in diameter, demonstrating loss of finish throughout the base metal, in better than very fine condition.

All suspended from a 180 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback and silver-grey rayon reverse liner, demonstrating some soiling and fatigue to the ribbons, a superb long service bar to a combatant with a storied military career in better than very fine condition.