Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross with Crown, Third Period (1914-1918)

(Verdienstkreuz). Instituted in 1849. Multi-piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, bronze hallmarked and maker marked "WILM. KUNZ WIEN X" (Wilhelm Kunz, Vienna) on the ring, measuring 36 mm (w) x 58.5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, the reverse centrepiece rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise, original triangular war ribbon with hook and eye, better than very fine. In an unmatched but authentic manufacturer's hardshelled case, black textured exterior on five sides, the lid marked "D. K. / m. d. K." in gold-coloured ink, maker marked "ETUIS- U. KASSETTENFABRIK / IG. BERGMANN / WIEN VII" on the bottom, inside lid in white rayon and bearing a coat-of-arms in gold-coloured ink, base with a medal bed in white felt, measuring 58.5 mm (w) x 106.5 mm (h) x 18 mm (d), exhibiting minor wear on the corners of the lid, along with soiling in the white felt of the medal bed, case also better than very fine.

Footnote: The Merit Cross 1849 was instituted on December 2, 1849. It was awarded in four classes: I Class Gold Cross with Crown, II Class Gold Cross, III Class Silver Cross with Crown and IV Class Silver Cross.