Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class by Rothe, in Case, c.1914

(Militärverdienstkreuz). Instituted on October 24th, 1849. Type II. (1914-1918 Issue). A Military Merit Cross III Class, of multi-piece construction, in silver with red and white enamels,  consisting of a Cross Pattée with red and white enamelled arms, with gilded laurel leaves in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central white enamelled medallion inscribed with “VERDIENST” (Merit), the reverse with a central white enamelled medallion, the arms of the reverse have been engraved and filled with a black lacquer which is inscribed SEINEM KAME-RADEN DAS OFFIZIERS- KORPS DER LUFT-SCHIFFER-ABTEILUNG (TO HIS COMRADE THE AIRSHIP DEPARTMENT'S OFFICER CORPS) with details of the wreath etched in, measures 30.7 mm (w) x 34.7 mm (h), weighs 16.4 grams, marked A on loop denoting Vienna manufacture, maker marked FR denoting Rothe Manufacture on the integral ring, connected via a double barrelled loop for suspension from its period original tri-fold ribbon, enamel chips evident to obverse and reverse, ribbon soiled, remains a lovely decoration in near extremely fine condition. 

Contained in its original case of issue, a red exterior marked Seinem Kameraden das Offizerskorps der LUFTSCHIFFERABTEILUNG, the interior with a creme coloured velvet medal bed and interior silk lid marked ROTHE, measures 66 mm (w) x 114 mm (l) x 23 mm (d), hinge and clasp functional, minor wear, in extremely fine condition.