Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for a Braunschweig First World War Combatant, with Matching Ribbon Bar

(Ordensschnalle mit Bandschnalle). A medal bar for a Braunschweig First World War combatant featuring four decorations, 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 maker marked with an “N” or “Z”, measuring 42.10 mm (w) x 45.91 mm (h), 17.0 grams, demonstrating a consistent patina throughout with some distortion of the frame of the twelve o’clock arm, in very fine condition.

2. A Braunschweig War Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by oak leaves, above a date of “1914”, topped by a royal crown, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 30.33 mm (w) x 34.42 mm (h), weighing 11.6 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 central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, unmarked, measuring 37.85 mm (w) x 42.39 mm (h), weighing 15.4 grams, demonstrating some tarnishing, in very fine condition.

4. A Prussian Long Service Medal, II Class for 12 Years, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central raised crown, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE BEI DER FAHNE” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE FLAG”), the reverse bearing a central raised number “12” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 30.02 mm in diameter, demonstrating minor tarnishing, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 120 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, demonstrating some soiling to the ribbons in near extremely fine condition; accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, set on a 60 mm-long magnetic metal core with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, demonstrating some soiling and material fatigue in addition to the loss of the combatant device to the Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, in very fine condition.