Germany, Imperial. A Superb Multi-State Medal and Order Bar for a Distinguished First World War Combatant

(1. Weltkrieg große Ordensschnalle). A rare and exceptional medal and order bar for a distinguished Officer combatant of the First World War, featuring five decorations, 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 institution 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 41.72 mm (w) x 46.17 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A House Order of Hohenzollern, III Class Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms trimmed with black enameled borders, overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted Hohenzollern coat of arms, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “FÜR TREUE UND VERDIENST” (“FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE”), joined together at the bottom by laurel leaf clusters, with gilt swords piercing the centrepiece, the reverse overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing hand-painted integrated monograms of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and Prince Carl, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt date of “DEN 8 APRIL 1844”, the twelve o’clock arm with a suspension loop connecting to a period original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 39.73 mm (w) x 43.33 mm (h), demonstrating some flecking and surface scratching to the enamels, with some wear to the gilt finish, in near extremely fine condition.

3. A Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion, III Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with gilt and multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a narrow Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with green vitreous glass arms joined through the quadrants by intricate latticework, overlaid by a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a detailed and hand-painted depiction of Zähringen Castle, situated within a ribbed and gilded ring, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the reverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt lion rampant, situated within a ribbed and gilded ring, the twelve o’clock arm with a suspension loop connecting to a period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.73 mm (w) x 43.33 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

4. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse overlaid by a central black enameled medallion bearing a raised silver monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse overlaid by a central black enameled medallion bearing a raised silver Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm with a suspension loop connecting to a period original ribbon, the reverse of the swords marked with a silver content number of “900”, flanked by an obscured maker’s mark, measuring 40.91 mm (w) x 47.96 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. A Landwehr Long Service Cross, I Class for 20 Years, constructed of silver with gilt, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse overlaid by a central gilded medallion bearing a monogram of King Wilhelm I, the reverse overlaid by a central gilded medallion bearing a number “20” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 39.05 mm (w) x 43.66 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 160 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, black wool liner, and magnetic metal core, demonstrating minor soiling and wear to the ribbons, a fantastic assembly of medals and orders for battlefield bravery, in near extremely fine condition.