Germany, Imperial. A Mixed lot of Items from First World War Combatants

(Fotoalbum, Ordensschnalle, und Sterbebild). A pair of items from the estates of a Bavarian combatant and casualty of the First World War, including:

1. A medal bar featuring three decorations, including a Bavarian Military Merit Order, III Class with Swords, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, unmarked, measuring 42.59 mm (w) x 49.75 mm (h), in better than very fine condition; 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, the suspension loop bearing an illegible maker’s mark, measuring 43.15 mm (w) x 47.04 mm (h), in extremely fine condition, and; an Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse bearing an unidentified maker’s mark, measuring 37.57 mm (w) x 42.38 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition; all suspended from a 100 mm-long zink abr with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, with minor wear visible to the ribbons and some oxidation of the bar evident, in near extremely fine condition.

2. A death card, constructed of card stock with black ink, named to Landwehrmann Franz Xaver Duschl, who was killed in action while on patrol on the night of 2 October 1917 at the age of 32, measuring 135 mm (w) x 108 mm (h) when unfolded, with age-appropriate material fatigue evident, in very fine condition.

3. A small photo album, constructed of a card stock binding with a faux dark brown leather liner, the spine perforated with with for eyelets reinforced with brown-painted grommets through which is looped a drawstring that maintains the album’s structural integrity, the interior content consisting of seven card stock pages pasted with 13 private wartime photos and postcards, measuring 185 mm (w) x 128 mm (h), with six photos missing, in very fine condition.