Germany, Imperial. An Unusual Medal Bar for a First World War Non-Combatant

(Ordensschnalle eines Nichtkämpfer im I. Weltkrieg). An interesting medal bar for a First World War non-combatant featuring an unusual combination of awards, including:

1. A Merit Cross for War Aid, constructed of feinzink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSHILFSDIENST” (“FOR WAR AID”) above oak leaves, the reverse bearing a central monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, unmarked, measuring 41.45 mm (w) x 40.86 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Mecklenburg Military Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original women’s issue ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE” (“FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR”), the reverse bearing a central monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich France IV, topped by a royal crown and situated above a date of “1914”, unmarked, measuring 40.93 mm (w) x 44.98 mm (h), a full-size cross suspended from a women’s ribbon (possibly substituted in from the smaller women’s version to maintain the aesthetic harmony of the bar) in extremely fine condition.

3. A General Honour Decoration, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a wreathed inscription of “VERDIENST UM DEN STAAT” (“SERVICE TO THE STATE”), the reverse bearing a monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, unmarked, measuring 39.27 mm in diameter, demonstrating tarnishing throughout, in very fine condition.

4. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Non-Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse marked with the logo of an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.33 mm (w) x 42.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A Prussian 15-Year Long Service Award, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central crown, the reverse bearing a central number “25” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 35.73 mm (w) x 39.15 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

6. A Kaiser Wilhelm Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.82 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 170 mm-long bar with a zink core, horizontal pinback, and salmon-red wool liner, in near extremely fine condition.