Germany, Imperial. A Hohenzollern House Order Bar for First and Second World War Service

(Ordenschnalle eines Offiziers der Wehrmacht und Frontkämpfers im 1. Weltkrieg). A superb order and medal bar for an Officer and combatant of both the First and Second World War, featuring seven decorations, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original 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 43.40 mm (w) x 47.13 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight’s Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms trimmed with black enameled borders, with each arm joined through the quadrants by a green enameled oak leaf wreath, the obverse overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a silvered and black enameled Prussian imperial eagle defaced by a Hohenzollern coat of arms, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilded inscription of “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”) with a green enameled laurel wreath, with crossed swords piercing the medallion, the reverse overlaid by a central white enameled medallion bearing a gilded monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt date of “DEN 18. IANUAR 1851” with a green enameled laurel wreath, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an elaborate crown suspension connecting to a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm maker marked with the logo of Johann Wagner & Sohn, Berlin, with a silver content mark of “938”, measuring 39.35 mm (w) x 59.18 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, a superb example demonstrating Wagner’s noted quality, in extremely fine condition.

3. A War Merit Cross II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 47.86 mm (w) x 47.36 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross II Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV, topped by a royal crown and situated above a date of “1914”, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHUNG IM KRIEGE” (“FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 41.40 mm (w) x 46.34 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. 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 wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.27 mm (w) x 41.30 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A Prussian Officer’s 25-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm III, the reverse bearing a number “25” in Roman numerals, measuring 38.74 mm (w) x 42.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.90 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 180 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, carmine wool liner, and brass core, unmarked, demonstrating moderate soiling to the ribbons, a superb array of Third Reich-period assembly, with an order reflecting the recipient’s preference, in near extremely fine condition.