Austria, Empire. An Emperial Austro-Hungarian Pilot Badge, c. 1918

(Flugzeugführer und Beobachterabzeichen). Issued 1917-1918. Two-piece construction, consisting of a patinated bronze eagle clutching gilt lightning bolts, fastened onto an open-ended oval shaped and white enameled laurel wreath via two rivets visible on the reverse, towards the top of the badge is a white enameled shield featuring the black enameled cipher of Karl I, while the bottom of the wreath is decorated with the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The reverse plain, with two hooks for uniform attachment, unmarked, measuring 57.31 mm (w) x 57.83 mm (h), weighing 19.3 grams, with light loss of its original gilt finish, as well as some signs of wear, but in overall near very fine condition.