Germany, Imperial. A Fine 1870 Medal Bar In Case, By Hugo Schaper

(Ordensschnalle mit Etui). An extensive Imperial medal bar featuring seven decorations, an 1870 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross 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 “1870”, 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, unmarked, measuring 41.64 mm (w) x 44.26 mm (h), the iron core has been cracked at the nine o’clock arm where it meets the centrepiece and minor tarnishing is visible throughout, accompanied by a 25-Year Jubilee Clasp, constructed of silvered bronze, the obverse consisting of three oak leaves bearing a raised number “25”, the reverse with dual attachment prongs, unmarked measuring 24.78 mm (w) x 18.60 mm (h), weighing 5.6 grams.

An Order of the Red Eagle, IV Class Cross, constructed of silver with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted red eagle overlaid by a Hohenzollern crest, the reverse with a central raised monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, unmarked, measuring 38.97 mm (w) x 41.80 mm (h), age-appropriate tarnishing evident

An Order of the Crown, IV Class Cross, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled and ribbed arms, the obverse with a central raised crown, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt inscription of “GOTT MIT UNS” (“GOD IS WITH US”) with arabesques, the reverse with a central raised monogram of King Wilhelm I, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt institution date of “DEN 18 OCTOBER 1861”, unmarked, measuring 40.62 mm (w) x 44.97 mm (h)

A War Commemorative Medal of 1870/71 for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 28.98 mm in diameter; a Kaiser Wilhelm I Commemorative Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 29.47 mm in diameter.

An Albrecht Order, II Class 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, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised rightward-facing profile of Duke Albrecht III, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt inscription of “ALBERTUS ANIMOSUS” (“ALBERT THE MERCIFUL”) and arabesques, the reverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a gilt and enameled Saxon coat of arms, within a ring of blue enamels bearing a gilt institution date of “1850” with arabesques, with crossed gilt swords through the centerpiece, unmarked, measuring 34.02 mm (w) x 46.72 mm (h), some chipping and flecking evident to the enamels of both the obverse and reverse.

A Landwehr Long Service Cross I Class, constructed of silver with gilt, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse with a central gilt medallion bearing a raised monogram of King Wilhelm I, the reverse with a central gilt medallion bearing a raised number “20” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 38.37 mm (w) x 42.60 mm (h), age-appropriate tarnishing evident; all set on a 190 mm-long bronze bar with a red wool reverse liner and horizontal pinack; also accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux brown leather exterior, the lid with centerpiece in the form of a raised gilded bronze German State Crown, the interior with a white satin lid liner, bearing a maker’s mark of “HUGO SCHAPER, HOF-GOLDSCHMIED SR. MAJESTÄT DES KAISERS, POTSDAMERSTR. 8, BERLIN W.”, with cream-coloured velvet cloth medal bed, opening with dual functional bronze snap buttons and dual functional metal hinges, measuring 220 mm (w) x 114 mm (l) x 34 mm (h), minor material fatigue evident to the exterior; the set is in an overall near extremely fine condition.