Germany, Imperial. A Superb Iron Cross Presentation Set for a First World War Combatant, with Custom Case

(Konvolut mit Etui). A superb presentation set to a distinguished First World War combatant, featuring:

1. A medal bar with two 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” 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” with arabesques, unmarked, measuring 42.55 mm (w) x 50.44 mm (h), weighing 20.1 grams, in near extremely fine condition, and; a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from 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 an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the suspension loop maker marked with the logo of Gebrüder Friedländer, Berlin, measuring 42.75 mm (w) x 47.74 mm (h), weighing 16.1 grams, in near extremely fine condition; both suspended from a 78 mm-long bar with a zink core, horizontal pinback, and white silk reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating soiling and material fatigue to the ribbons, in very fine condition.

2. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a vaulted 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 an elongated block hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch emanating from a rectangular plate, stamped with a maker’s mark of “GODET, BERLIN’ and silver content number of “800”, a high-quality and privately-purchased example in extremely fine condition.

3. A Württemberg Military Merit Medal in Silver, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing profile of King Wilhelm II, circumscribed by name and title, the reverse bearing a wreathed inscription of “FÜR TAPFERKEIT UND TREUE” (“FOR BRAVERY AND LOYALTY”), unmarked, measuring 28.30 mm in diameter, weighing 13.0 grams, demonstrating some tarnishing, in better than very fine condition.

All secreted within a period custom-manufactured presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a blackened and silvered depiction of the a 1914 Iron Cross, the interior with a padde dwhite lid liner pinned with imagery harvested from wartime patriotic postcards, uniform insignia and buttons, and a portrait of an unidentified individual in what appears to be an Austo-Hungarian uniform, with a purple felt medal bed featuring fitted depressions and slots for each decoration, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 19.5 cm (w) x 14.5 cm (l) x 3.5 cm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue and soiling throughout, a superb and unique example embodying the owner’s pride in his accomplishments in a very fine condition.