Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for a First World War Combatant

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for a First World War combatant with postwar fire brigade service, featuring five awards, including:

1. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock riveted with a crossed sword clasp, unmarked, measuring 42.33 mm (w) x 51.75 mm (h), demonstrating moderate verdigris throughout the base metal, in very fine condition.

2. 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 a reinstitution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 43.02 mm (w) x 47.07 mm (h), in near 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 a mis-matched 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 an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.50 mm (w) x 43.28 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Bavarian Red Cross 20-Year Long Service Award, constructed of bronze with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with ribbed arms, bearing a central red enameled Geneva Cross, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR 20 JÄHRIGE DIENSTZEIT” (“FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 33.96 mm (w) x 37.63 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

5. A Third Reich-period Fire Brigade Honour Decoration, II Class, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Geneva Cross with its arms joined together through the quadrants by a circular ring bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM FEUER-LÖSCHWESEN” (“FOR MERIT IN FIRE-FIGHTING”), the obverse with white enameled arms overlaid by red enameled flames, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a black mobile swastika, unmarked, measuring 43.00 mm (w) x 48.04 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a crudely constructed 165 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a partial card stock reinforcement, the reverse with a horizontal pinback and partial white cotton twill liner, likely modified to accommodate a later addition of the Fire Brigade Honour Decoration, with bending evident to the core in addition to soiling and fatigue of the ribbons, in fair condition.