Austria, Imperial. A Fine Medal Bar to Recipient with Distinguished Military Service

(Ordensschnalle). A fine medal bar to a recipient with distinguished military service, featuring a multinational array of decorations, including:

1 An Austrian Military Merit Cross, Military Division, III Class Cross, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel leaf wreath, the obverse with white enameled arms trimmed with red borders, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), surrounded by a red enameled ring, the reverse with white enameled arms and centrepiece, the integral loop stamped with illegible hallmarks, measuring 31.62 mm (w) x 33.65 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking and scratching to the enamels, in better than very fine condition.

2. A Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, IV Class Cross, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted Prussian imperial eagle, the reverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm II, without visible marks, measuring 38.70 mm (w) x 42.54 mm (h), demonstrating a consistent patina throughout in additional to possible re-application of the obverse medallion, in better than very fine condition.

3. A Prussian Order of the Crown, IV Class Cross, constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured 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”, the six o’clock arm maker marked with the logo of Johann Wagner & Sohn, Berlin, measuring 42.95 mm (w) x 46.89 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. An Austrian Military Merit Medal, Bronze Grade, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing profile of Emperor Karl I, circumscribed by name and title in Latin, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “SIGNUM LAUDIS” (“SIGN OF PRAISE”), situated within a circular laurel and oak leaf wreath, the twelve o’clock position topped by laurel and oak leaf clusters overlaid by Austrian and Hungarian national crowns, the obverse engraver marked “KAUTSCH” for Heinrich Kautsch, measuring 30.53 mm (w) x 45.46 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

5. An Austrian 1898 Jubilee Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and rightward-facing profile of Emperor Franz Joseph, circumscribed by name and title in Latin, the reverse bearing a central wreathed plaque overlaid by an inscription of “SIGNUM MEMORIAE” (“SIGN OF MEMORY”), topped by dates “1848-1898” in Roman numerals, unmarked, measuring 34.23 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

6. An Austrian Military Long Service Award, I Class Officer’s Cross for 25 Years, constructed of gilded and silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with pebbled arms, overlaid by a central silvered Austro-Hungarian imperial eagle, unmarked, measuring 32.95 mm (w) x 35.87 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. An Austrian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 36.05 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

8. A Hungarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of silvered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 36.97 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

9. A Russian Order of St. Anne, III Class Cross in Gold, constructed of 14k Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with red enameled arms, joined through the quadrants by Gold latticework, the obverse bearing a central enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted depiction of St. Anne, situated within a Gold ring, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a hand-painted monogram, situated within a Gold ring, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop and suspension ring connecting to a period original ribbon, the integral loop stamped with a zolotnik mark of “56” indicating 14k Gold content, measuring 34.40 mm (w) x 38.98 mm (h), a striking example in extremely fine condition.

10. A Bulgarian War Commemorative Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 32.41 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

11. A Bulgarian Order of Military Merit, V Class Cross with Crown, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of an Arrow Cross with red enameled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered monogram of Tsar Ferdinand I, situated within a green enameled ring bearing a gilt Bulgarian Cyrillic inscription of “ЗА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА” (“FOR MILITARY MERIT”), the reverse bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered Bulgarian lion rampant defaced by a coat of arms, situated within a green enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a crown suspension executed in silver with red enamels, topped by a suspension loop connecting to a period original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 46.57 mm (w) x 69.95 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 200 mm-long silvered bronze bar with a horizontal pinback and red wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons, a superb bar to an Officer with noted military service spanning both the pre-war and First World War periods in extremely fine condition.