Austria, Imperial. An Order Of Franz Joseph, Officers Cross With War Decoration, By V. Mayer Sohne, C.1917

(Kaiserlich-Österreischischer Franz-Joseph-Orden). Instituted December 2 1849 by Franz Joseph. Type II (1914-1918). Military Division. A First War period Officer in bronze gilt, featuring a red enamelled cross with a double headed black enamel eagle in each quadrant, a chain sits across the 12 and 6 o’clock arms, the central medallion features an FJ on a white enamel field, the badge is surmounted by a detailed crown with green enamelled pendilia below denoting War Decoration, the reverse offers a single vertical pin with makers mark of VINC. MAYER’S SOHNE WIEN, measures 39.9mm (w) x 75mm (h), weighs 27.0 grams, light gilt wear, hinge and catch functional, minor enamel wear to central medallion, otherwise remains in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: The Officer Cross was introduced in 1901 as a substitute for the Order of the Iron Crown. It comprised a cross without a ribbon and was won on the left side of the chest. When the ribbon of the Military Merit Cross was used to identify wartime awards, the ribbon was folded behind the cross and seen around the edges. Later versions of the Officer's cross feature green enamelled pendilia instead of the rosette of ribbon.