Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar To A First World War Combatant With Postwar Wehrmacht Service

(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar to a First World War combatant with postwar Wehrmacht service, featuring six 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, the suspension loop maker marked “KO” for a widely-encountered by unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.98 mm (w) x 47.67 mm (h), demonstrating moderate surface oxidation to the core, in very fine condition.

2. 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”, the reverse bearing an unidentified maker’s mark, measuring 37.34 mm (w) x 41.78 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

3. A Wehrmacht 12-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a central wreathed number “12”, without visible marks, measuring 30.26 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

4. A Wehrmacht 4-Year Long Service Award, constructed of magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a central wreathed number “4”, without visible marks, measuring 30.28 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

5. An Austrian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 34.28 mm in diameter, demonstrating some surface oxidation, in very fine condition.

6. A Hungarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 36.96 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 170 mm-long zink bar with a horizontal pinback and field-grey wool reverse liner, demonstrating extensive soiling and material fatigue to both the ribbons and reverse liner, the former resulting in the loss of a Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal and a precarious mounting of the Iron Cross, in overall fair condition.