Austria, Empire. An Order Of The Iron Crown, Iii Class, Dedicated To The Commander Of The 4/34 F.b., C.1916

III Class with War Decoration & Swords; (Orden der Eisernen Krone 3. Klasse). Instituted on 7 April 1815 by Emperor Franz I. Type 3. (Issued 1914-1918). A Third Class Order of the Iron Crown constructed of gilded bronze, consists of the Lombard Iron Crown presenting green, red and white-enameled jewels, on which rests the two-headed Austrian eagle with sword and orb, with a blue enamelled central shield showing on the obverse the imperial initial “F” and on the reverse the year “1815,” with two upward-facing branches of laurel leaves in green enamels, above rests the imperial crown firmly attached to the double-headed eagle, no maker mark, silver plate attached to bottom and engraved “UNSEREM HOCHVEREHRTEN KOMMANDANTEN OFFIZS.KORPS 4/34.F.B.” (“OUR HIGHLY HONOURED COMMANDER/OFFICER CORPS 4TH COMPANY OF THE 34TH  FÜSILIER BATAILLON”), also engraved on reverse with “KRIEGSJAHR 1916 MÄRZ” (“WAR YEAR 1916 MARCH”), measuring 28.09 mm (w) x 58.11 mm (h - inclusive of crown), suspended from a hollow swivel crown suspension from a horizontally pierced ball and flat suspension loop, with period original ribbon decorated with crossed swords, with significant gilt wear, moderate enamel loss around lower crown, otherwise in overall near extremely fine condition. Accompanied by original presentation case constructed of burgundy cardstock, embossed on exterior with “OESTERR. KAISERLICHER ORDEN DER EISERNEN KRONE III. CLASSE,” with manufacturer’s stamp on bottom for J.G. Bergmann of Vienna, with recessed medal bed, measuring 62 mm (w) x 123 mm (l) x 23 mm (h), and in very fine condition.

Footnote: By the end of 1917 (taking into account only awards from 1914-17), the number of members of the order for 3rd Class alive at a given time was 6,320 Austrian/Hungarians and 640 foreigners. See, M. Christian Ortner and Georg Ludwigstorff, Austrian Orders and Decorations, Part 1/Volume 2: The Imperial-Royal Orders up to 1918 (Verlag Militaria, 2017), 162.