Germany, Imperial. An Iron Crown Medal Bar for a Distinguished First World War Combatant

(Ordensschnalle). A superb medal and order bar for a distinguished combatant of the First World War, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, 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 an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 43.52 mm (w) x 48.42mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Prussian Merit Cross in Gold, constructed of gilded silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, both the obverse and reverse bearing central monograms of Kaiser Wilhelm II, unmarked, measuring 40.90 mm (w) x 43.56 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 40.16 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

4. An Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, Military Division, III Class Knight’s Decoration, constructed of gilded brass with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a double-headed Austrian imperial eagle clutching a sword and orb, flanked on each side by green enameled laurel branches, overlaid by a blue enameled shield bearing a gilt monogram of Emperor Franz I, the reverse overlaid by a blue enameled shield bearing a gilt instituted date of “1815”, situated above a jeweled crown with a magnetic iron insert, topped by a crown suspension connecting to a loop with a period original ribbon, the suspension stamped with an asterisk (“Sterchenpunze”) indicating a wartime example constructed of brass, measuring 31.23 mm (w) x 55.40 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and surface scratching to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

5. An Austrian Military Merit Cross, III Class, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel wreath, the obverse with white enameled arms trimmed with red borders, overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), situated within a red enameled border, the reverse with plain white enameled arms and centrepiece, the suspension eyelet stamped with the hallmark of V. Mayer’s Söhne, Vienna, measuring 30.42 mm (w) x 33.87 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in very fine condition.

All suspended from a 145 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback and white wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons (which remain taut and demonstrating expert period assembly), an exceptional bar in near extremely fine condition.