Germany, Imperial. A Long Service Medal Bar for a Braunschweig First World War Combatant, with Ribbon Bar

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for a Braunschweig First World War combatant who rendered long and distinguished military service, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with 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 42.61 mm (w) x 46.06 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Braunschweig War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Bewährungsabzeichen (Service Badge), consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by oak leaves, topped by a crown, and situated above a date of “1914”, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.16 mm (w) x 34.36 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. 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 Glaser & Söhne, Dresden, measuring 37.77 mm (w) x 42.27 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award, constructed of bronzed 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 “12”, unmarked, measuring 30.16 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

5. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered 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 “4”, unmarked, measuring 30.07 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 150 mm-long bar with a magnetic metal core, horizontal pinback, and field-grey wool liner, unmarked, accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, measuring 70 mm in length, similarly featuring a magnetic metal core, horizontal pinback, and field-grey wool liner, a superb set for a soldier whose career spanned the period of the German Empire through the Third Reich, in extremely fine condition.