Germany, Imperial. The First War Medal Bar Of Bavarian Stabsarzt Josef Meier

(Ordensschnalle). A unique combination of awards and therefore successfully attributed to Bavarian Stabsarzt Josef Meier who served in 1914 in the War Ministry's Medical Department. Both his Southwest Campaign medal as well as teh Order of Vasa are confirmed in the Bavarian 1914 military handbook. He is also entitled to the 3rd Riech 40 year long service award. It is assumed he continued his civilian work as a medical doctor post war.  

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 42.78 mm (w) x 46.89 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a gilt Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed swords clasp, without visible marks, measuring 41.05 mm (w) x 47.15 mm (h), with minor surface chipping and scratching visible to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.

3. An Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross, constructed of blackened magnetic iron, 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 bearing a central raised monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich August, the six o’clock arm bearing an institution date of “1914’, the twelve o’clock arm bearing a royal crown, unmarked, measuring 39.63 mm (w) x 44.12 mm (h), demonstrating some surface oxidation, in very 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”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of C.E. Juncker, Berlin, measuring 37.33 mm (w) x 39.50 mm (w), in extremely fine condition.

5. A German Red Cross Medal, III Class in Bronze, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 33.33 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

6. A German South West Africa Medal for Non-Combatants, constructed of non-magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central leftward-facing profile of Germania, circumscribed by an inscription of “SUEDWEST AFRIKA 1904-06”, the reverse bearing a central crowned monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, circumscribed by an inscription of “VERDIENST UM DIE EXPEDITION” (“SERVICE TO THE EXPEDITION”), unmarked, measuring 32.54 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

7. A Civil Service 40-Year Long Service Award, constructed of gilded bronze, 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 central black enameled swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE”), unmarked, measuring 41.30 mm (w) x 46.18 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

8. An Austrian Honour Decoration of the Red Cross, II Class Cross, Military Division, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of an elongated Latin Cross with red enameled arms trimmed with white enamel, the obverse bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by a red enameled Geneva Cross, set within a red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “PATRIAE AC HUMANITATI” (“PATRIOTISM AND HUMANITY”), overlaid by an green enameled oval laurel and oak leaf wreath, the reverse with red enameled arms trimmed with white enamel, bearing a central white enameled medallion overlaid by gilt dates “1864-1914”, within a ring of red enamel, without visible marks, measuring 36.40 mm (w) x 48.33 mm, demonstrating minor surface chipping and scratching to the enamels, in near extremely fine condition.

9. An Ottoman Liyakat Medal in Silver, constructed of silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 24.70 mm in diameter, in near extremely fine condition.

10. A Swedish Order of Vasa, constructed of Gold with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with white enameled arms, all completing in ball finials and joined through the quadrants by Gold crowns, the obverse bearing a central Gold vase situated over a hollow background, surrounded by an red enameled oval ring bearing an inscription of “GUSTAF D III INSTIKTARE MDCCLXXII”, the reverse bearing an identical central medallion and ring, without visible marks, measuring 39.19 mm (w) x 59.50 mm (h), some grime and flecking is visible to the enamels with additional chipping and cracking to the reverse six o’clock arm, in better than very fine condition.

All suspended from 23 mm-long bronze bar with a horizontal pinback and grey wool reverse liner, steeply graded to be worn diagonally from the lapel of a formal outfit, missing a Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold Medal but retaining its ribbon, a superb for a recipient with a length military career in near extremely fine condition.