Germany, Imperial. A First World War Non-Combatant’s Medal Bar

(Ordensschnalle für Nichtkämpfer). A medal bar featuring five decorations, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its original Third Reich-period non-combatant’s 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 42.27 mm (w) x 47.08 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Merit Cross for Voluntary War Aid, constructed of zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR KRIEGSHILFSDIENST” (“FOR VOLUNTARY WAR AID”), unmarked, measuring 42.19 mm (w) x 41.46 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Non-Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.26 mm (w) x 42.66 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Landwehr Long Service Cross, I Class for 20 Years, constructed of silver with gilt, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse overlaid by a central medallion bearing a monogram of King Wilhelm I, the reverse overlaid by a central medallion bearing a number “20” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 39.21 mm (w) x 43.54 mm (h), demonstrating some tarnishing to the base metal, in near extremely fine condition.

5. A Sudetenland Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing two raised figures, one of which is clutching a flag and the other a length of broken chain, above a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central date of “1. OKTOBER 1938”, circumscribed by an inscription of “EIN VOLK, EIN REICH, EIN FÜHRER” (“ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE LEADER”), unmarked, measuring 31.94 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 145 mm-long bar with a zink core, horizontal pinback, and green rayon liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons, a Third Reich-assembled example to a recipient with lengthy and distinguished non-combatant service in extremely fine condition.