Germany, Imperial. A Pair of Medal Bars to First World War Combatants

(Ordensschnalle). A pair of medal bars to First World War combatants, including:

1. One featuring three decorations, including a Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, constructed of coppered bronze, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866”, topped by a stylized suspension with a loop retaining a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 42.06 mm (w) x 50.34 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its original Third Reich-period 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, the suspension loop maker marked with either a “Z” or “N” for documented but unidentified manufacturers, measuring 43.12 mm (w) x 47.15 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; 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, 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 C.E. Juncker, Berlin, measuring 37.39 mm (w) x 42.54 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; all suspended from a 90 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and black wool liner, retaining a fully-intact manufacturer’s label for the noted firm of Friedrich Sedlatzek, Berlin, demonstrating moderate soiling and material fatigue throughout, in very fine condition.

2. A second one featuring three decorations, including a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its original Third Reich-period 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, unmarked, measuring 43.02 mm (w) x 46.71 mm (h), in extremely fine condition; a Württemberg commemorative cross, constructed of gilded and silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 33.90 mm (w) x 38.24 mm (h), demonstrating some tarnishing, in very fine condition, and; a Hohenzollern Campaign Medal for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with a mis-matched ribbon, unmarked, measuring 29.41 mm in diameter, a post-manufacture addition to the bar in very fine condition; all suspended from a 90 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and black wool reverse liner, demonstrating moderate soiling and material fatigue, in very fine condition.