Germany, Third Reich. A Medal Bar for Meritorious Olympic Service to a First World War Veteran

(Ordensschnalle). A rare medal bar featuring an interesting combination of awards, including:

1. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, 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 an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.65 mm (w) x 42.28 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A German Olympic Games Decoration, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze with enamels, the obverse consisting of a gilded and ribbed five-pointed star, in turn overlaid by a white enameled five-pointed star, bearing raised and white enameled Olympic rings, topped by a white enameled German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with feathering and details highlighted in gilt, topped by an integral loop retaining a period original ribbon with a horizontal pinback, the reverse with two visible rivets securing the obverse rings in place, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Gebrüder Godet, Berlin, measuring 54.83 mm (w) x 66.47 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, a scarce award in extremely fine cognition.

Both suspended from a 65 mm-long bar with a horizontal pinback, green wool liner, and magnetic metal core, a superb bar to a First World War veteran who rendered notable service in organizing the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, in extremely fine condition.