Germany, Imperial. An Order and Medal Bar for Distinguished Military and Civil Service, with Case, by Hugo Schaper

(Ordensschnalle mit Etui). An extensive order and medal bar for distinguished military and civil service, featuring ten 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 41.75 mm (w) x 44.75 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, 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 48.70 mm (w) x 48.60 mm (h), 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 Reichsverband Pforzheim, measuring 37.75 mm (w) x 43.02 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Baden Order of the Zähringer Lion, II Class with Oak Leaves and Swords, constructed of gilded silver with enamels, constructed of gilded silver with enamels, the obverse with green vitreous glass arms situated within a gilded frame, joined through the quadrants by intricate arabesque  latticework of identical composition, overlaid by a central medallion bearing a detailed and hand-painted depiction of Zähringen Castle, situated within a ribbed Gold ring, the reverse overlaid by a red enameled medallion with a hatched texture, bearing a Gold Baden lion rampant, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an eyelet and suspension ring connecting to its period original ribbon with a gilt oak leaf clasp affixed to the obverse, the decoration unmarked, measuring 40.10 mm (w) x 42.50 mm (h), demonstrating loss of gilt finish throughout the base metal, in near extremely fine condition.

5. A Prussian Order of the Crown, IV Class, constructed of gilded silver with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised crown, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “GOTT MIT UNS” (“GOD WITH US”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Wilhelm I, situated within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “DEN 18 OCTOBER 1861”, unmarked, measuring 42.76 (w) x 46.90 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

6. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 30.14 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

7. A Baden Jubilee Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 33.46 mm in diameter, in better than very fine condition.

8. A Civil Service 25-Year Long Service Award, constructed of silvered bronze with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 40.73 mm (w) x 45.73 mm (h), in very fine condition.

9. A Hungarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 37.30 mm in diameter, in better than very fine condition.

10. A Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 32.00 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

Secreted within an original presentation case, constructed of a light wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the interior with a red satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a ruffled red satin medal bed, the lid liner bearing a gilt maker’s mark of “HUGO SCHAPER, HOF-GOLDSCHMIED, BERLIN”, indicating manufacture and bar assembly by a noted producer of Imperial badges and decorations, fastening closed with dual metal snap buttons, measuring 10 cm (w) x 35 cm (l) x 4 cm (h), in extremely fine condition.