Germany, Imperial. A Medal Bar to a Distinguished Bavarian First World War Combatant, with Ribbon Bar and Period Case

(Ordensschnalle mit Bandschnalle und Etui). A medal bar to a distinguished Bavarian First World War combatant featuring five awards, including:

1. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with an original Third Reich-period 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 42.75 mm (w) x 46.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an ornate suspension apparatus connecting to its period original ribbon, the reverse of the swords maker marked with the logo of Gebrüder Hemmerle, Munich, and with a silver content number of “900”, measuring 40.77 mm (w) x 49.80 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels with a small chip to the outer edge of the obverse three o’clock arm, in near extremely fine condition.

3. A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms, bearing a central red enameled medallion overlaid by a silvered Hamburg coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914”), unmarked, measuring 39.92 mm (w) x 44.16 mm (h), demonstrating minor flecking to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.

4. 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”, without visible marks, measuring 37.56 mm (w) x 42.03 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 125 mm-long bar with a zink core, horizontal pinback, and brown wool reverse liner, in extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by a ribbon bar, featuring a 1914 Iron Cross II Class, a Bavarian Order of Military Merit with Swords, a Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, and a Bulgarian Medal of Merit with Swords, affixed to a 75 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, demonstrating soiling to the ribbons and some surface oxidation to the core, in very fine condition.

Both secreted within a period case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux blue-grey leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a partially-legible handwritten award inventory which includes the 1914 Iron Cross, the interior with a white satin lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a padded cream-coloured wool medal bed, retaining a maker’s label reading “CARL VOOS, OSNABRÜCK”, closing with two functional snap buttons, measuring 24 cm (w) x 11.5 cm (l) x 4 cm (h), demonstrating moderate material fatigue, a period and mis-matched example in very fine condition