Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, KO-Marked, with First World War Patriotic Badges

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 II. Klasse mit Abzeichen). A lot of four items, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold 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 “KO” for a widely-documented but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.00 mm (w) x 47.90 mm (h), weighing 16.7 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. A first war year patriotic badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a circular laurel leaf wreath, interspersed with German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Ottoman flags, surrounding a central gilded and enameled Germanic eagle, in turn set within a white enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “MIT VEREINTEN KRÄFTEN 1914-15” (“WITH UNITED FORCES 1914-15”), the reverse with a stabilizer and horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 25 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

3. A crown badge, constructed of silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 30 mm (w) x 25 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A large eagle badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 36 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.