Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar for First World War Service, with Case, Owner- and Unit-Attributed Example

(Ordensschnalle mit Etui). 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 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 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 43.38 mm (w) x 47.73 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Cross for Voluntary War Aid, constructed of feinzink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 40.80 mm (w) x 40.84 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

3. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.75 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

4. A Baden Jubilee Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 33.50 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

5. A Baden 9-Year Long Service Medal, constructed of neusilber, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 30.94 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 140 mm-long bar with a feinzink core, red wool liner, and horizontal pinback, unmarked, secreted within a period original case, constructed of a pressed card stock frame with a faux red leather liner, the lid overlaid by a layer of green paper stock which bears a Reichswehr eagle sticker at one corner, the interior with a padded red wool lid liner and medal bed presenting with arabesque latticework, the former with a ribbon retaining an original recipient calling card bearing a name, rank, and unit attribution of “DR. R. KNAKE, HAUPTMANN D. LDW. FELD. ART. I. / NORDHAUSEN”, (Württembergisches Landwehr-Feld-Artillerie-Regiment Nr. 1), closing with a functional metal snap button, measuring 16.5 cm (l) x 8.5 cm (w) x 4 cm (h), a superb owner- and unit-attributed bar demonstrating the recipient’s pride in his service, in extremely fine condition.