Germany, Imperial. A Jubilee Bar for a Franco-Prussian War Combatant

(Ordenschnalle eines Preußischen Veteranen des Frankreichfeldzugs 1870/71). A medal bar to a distinguished combatant of the Franco-Prussian War featuring four decorations, including:

1. An 1870 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 “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”, the twelve o’clock arm initials “FW” topped by a royal crown, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a jubilee piece produced by Steinhauer & Lück, Lüdenscheid, c. 1900, measuring 42.30 mm (w) x 45.34 mm (h), weighing 16.3 grams, demonstrating minor loss of finish and surface oxidation throughout the core, in better than very fine condition; the ribbon pinned with a 25th Jubilee Clasp, constructed of a silvered alloy, the obverse consisting of three overlapping oak leaves defaced by a central raised number “25”, measuring 25.68 mm (w) x 17.86 mm (h), demonstrating minor tarnishing, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A Prussian Landwehr Long Service Award, II Class, constructed of a copper alloy, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 24.82 mm in diameter, weighing 6.6 grams, in extremely fine condition.

3. A War Commemorative Medal 1870/71 for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with “COLOMBEY-NOUILLY”, “METZ”, and “GRAVELOTTE-ST. PRIVAT” campaign clasps, unmarked, measuring 29.00 mm in diameter, weighing 14.3 grams, in better than very fine condition.

4. A Kaiser Wilhelm I Centenary Medal, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 40.11 mm in diameter, weighing 32.8 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

All suspended from a 120 mm-long bar with a trapezoidal bronze core, horizontal pinback and red wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons, in near extremely fine condition.