Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for a Bavarian First World War Combatant

(1. Weltkrieg große Ordensschnalle eines Bayerischen Soldaten). A medal bar for a Bavarian First World War combatant featuring four awards, 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 restitution 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, the suspension loop stamped with a maker’s mark of “LV” for a documented but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.68 mm (w)x 47.35 mm (h), weighing 18.1 grams, in better than very fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) and arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central bavarian lion rampant, situated within a belt and buckle bearing a date of “1966” and arabesques, the reverse of the sword marked with an unidentified logo, measuring 43.00 mm (w) x 50.45 mm (h), weighing 23.7 grams, in extremely fine condition.

3. 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 L. Christian Lauer, Nuremberg, measuring 37.47 mm (w) x 41.96 mm (h), weighing 14.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.

4. A Bavarian Long Service Award, III Class for 9 Years, constructed of neusilber, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 33.10 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 120 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, green wool liner, and magnetic metal core, demonstrating minor soiling and fatigue throughout the ribbons, in better than very fine condition.