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

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for a distinguished Saxon First World War combatant featuring five awards, including:

1. 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 an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm with initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, without visible marks, measuring 42.43 mm (w) x 46.98 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Saxon Order of Merit, II Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and enameled Saxon coat of arms, circumscribed by a gilt inscription of “FRIED. AUG. K. V. SACHSEN. D. 7. JUN. 1815”, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST UND TREUE” (“FOR SERVICE AND LOYALTY”), situated within a green enameled oak leaf wreath, the six o’clock arm maker marked with the logo of Roesner, Dresden, measuring 34.47 mm (w) x 35.65 mm (h), demonstrating scratching and surface chipping to the enamels with some displacement of the coat of arms, in better than very fine condition.

3. A Saxon Albert Order, II Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Latin Cross with white enameled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and rightward-facing profile of Duke Albert III, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “ALBERTUS ANIMOSUS” (“ALBERT THE BOLD”), the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and enameled Saxon coat of arms, surrounded by a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “1850” with laurel branches, the six o’clock maker marked with the logo of G.A. Scharffenberg, Dresden, measuring 34.52 mm (w) x 44.25 mm (h), demonstrating some flecking to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.

4. 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, 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 Glaser & Söhne, Dresden, measuring 37.85 mm (w) x 42.62 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, the obverse bearing a central wreathed Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a wreathed number “4”, unmarked, measuring 30.20 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 155 mm-long bronze bar with a horizontal pinback and grey wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.