Germany. Imperial. A Rare Tsar Alexander No. 1 Regimental Medal Bar with 10 Awards

A rare Tsar Alexander No. 1 Regimental medal bar awarded to an officer of the regiment; a veteran of numerous Prussian military campaigns with a rare combination of awards, consisting of:

1. An Iron Cross 1870 Second Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1870 II. Klasse). Instituted 10.03.1813. Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with the reinstitution date “1870”  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”, unmarked, measuring 40.7 mm (w) x 41.5 mm (l). 

2. A Prussian Order of the Red Eagle IV Class with Swords (Roter Adler Orden IV. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 12.06.1792 (1892-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with delicately hand-painted enamels, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, consisting of a Cross  Pattée with smooth arms and gilt bronze crossed swords, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted Prussian imperial eagle, the reverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Friedrich Wilhelm II, unmarked, measuring 37.6 mm (w) x 37.6 mm (l).

3. A Prussian Order of the Crown (Königliche Kronen Orden III. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 18.10.1861 (1867-1918 issue). Constructed of gold with fine blue and white enamels consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms trimmed in with gilt borders and gilt bronze crossed swords, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, the obverse bearing a central Gold medallion overlaid by a raised crown, set within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “Gott mit Uns” (God with Us) in capital letters and arabesques, the reverse bearing a central Gold medallion overlaid by a raised monogram of King Wilhelm I, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt institution date of “Den 18. Oktober 1861”, marked “W” on the bottom of the six o’clock arm for manufacture by Wagner,  measuring 43.0 mm (w) x 43.2 mm (l).

4. A Prussian Military Long Service Cross for 25 Years, Type I (Militär Dienstauszeichnung für 25 Jahre). Instituted 18.06.1825. Constructed of bronze gilt, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, consisting of a Cross Pattée with straight arms with pebbled surfaces and smooth borders, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, the obverse centre bears the crowned cipher “FW III” (Friedrich Wilhelm III), the reverse centre bears “XXV”, measuring 37.6 mm (w) x 37.4 mm (l). 

5. A Duppel Sturm Cross (Düppeler Sturm Kreuz). Instituted 18.10.1864. Constructed of silvered bronze, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, consisting of a Cross Pattée with laurel branches in the quadrants between the arms, the obverse with a leftward facing profile of Kaiser Wilhelm I, circumscribed by his name and title, the reverse with a Prussian imperial eagle perched on-top of a canon, the arms inscribed “Düppel 18. Apr. 1984” with capital letters, unmarked, measuring 31.3 mm (w) x 31.6 mm (l).

6. A War Merit Medal 1870-1871 (Kriegsdenkmünze). Instituted 20.05.1871. Constructed of bronze, the top with an integral loop, the obverse inscribed with the crowned cipher of Wilhelm with “Dem Siegreichen Heere” (The Victorious Army) directly below and circumscribed “Gott war mit uns, ihm sei die ehre” (God was with us, the honour is his), the reverse with a Cross Pattée bearing a central laurel wreath tied together with ribbons at the base with rays emanating from the core in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the rim is inscribed “Aus Erobertem Geschütz” (From Conquered Guns) in capital lettering, unmarked, measuring 28.9 mm in diameter.

7. A Commemorative Cross for the War 1866, Type I for Königgrätz (Erinnerungskreuz für 1866 für Königgrätz). Constructed of bronze, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, consisting of a Cross Pattée with outward-curved ends and with laurel branches in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse bearing the cipher of Wilhelm Rex and circumscribed “Preussens Siegreichem Heere” (Prussia’s Victorious Army), the top arm with the royal crown and the remaining three arms inscribed “Gott war mit uns, ihm sei die ehre” (God was with us, the honour is his), the reverse with a Prussian imperial eagle perched on-top of a canon, the arms inscribed “Königgrätz 03.07.1866” with capital letters, unmarked, measuring 34.3 mm (w) x 34.4 mm (l).

8. A Denmark War Medal 1864 (Kriegsdenkmünze). Instituted 10.11.1864. Constructed of bronze, the top with an integral loop, the obverse with the royal ciphers of Wilhelm and Franz Joseph, the reverse inscribed “Unsern Tapfern Kriegern” (Our brave fighters) within a laurel wreath that is tied together with ribbons at the base, the rim is inscribed “Aus Erobertem Geschütz” (From Conquered Guns) in capital lettering, unmarked, measuring 28.9 mm in diameter.

9. A Russian Imperial Order of St. Vladimir IV. Class (Императорский Орден Св. Равноапостольного Великого Князя Владимира). Instituted February 23, 1748. A beautiful example of this award, a cross crafted of 14kt Gold along with red enameled arms with black enameled outer borders, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, the obverse medallion is hand painted with a crowned red and ermine mantle with the monogram of St. Vladimir, the reverse bears the inscription 22 CEHTAБPA 1782, the integral loop marked “56” and “1869” and the bottom arm is marked with the symbol of Keibel on the reverse, measuring 34.6 mm (w) x 34.5 mm (l). 

10. An Albert Order, I. Class Knight’s Cross with Swords (Instituted 31.12.1850). Model I 1850-1876 ‘Baker Cap Type’, a beautiful Latin cross constructed of gold with ornate blue and white enamels joined together through the quadrants by a circular green enameled oak leaf wreath and gilt bronze crossed swords, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a Gold and rightward-facing profile of Duke Albert III, within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “Albertus Animosus” (Albert the Valianti) in capital letters with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a Gold and enameled Saxon coat of arms within a blue enameled ring bearing a gilt institution date of “1850” with arabesques, unmarked, measuring 36.5 mm (w) x 41.4 mm (l).

All medals, orders and awards were mounted circa 1875 Prussian style with correct combatant’s ribbons, with a brass core, a red wool backer, and a dual horizontal pinback assembly for mounting, measuring approximately 180 mm (w) x 48 mm (l). A fine rarely encountered combination of awards with all enamels extremely well preserved and with subtle patina from age and wear on the bronze crosses and medals, in overall extremely fine condition.