Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, II Class with Swords and War Decoration, by R. Marschall

(Militärverdienstkreuz, II. Klasse, mit Schwertern, und Kriegsdekoration). Instituted October 24, 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. A silver cross pattee with red and white enamelled arms, with a green enamelled laurel wreath and short silver swords between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central white enamelled medallion inscribed “VERDIENST” (MERIT), the reverse fully enamelled in white, suspended from a double loop with the integral ring marked “RS” and with a dog head denoting Austrian (Viennese) manufacture in silver, edge of 6 o’clock arm marked R. MARSCHALL, worn on an original ribbon of watered silk, measuring 40.80mm (w) x 45.8mm (h – inclusive of integral ring), weighing 40.2 grams (including ribbon), in overall better than extremely fine condition.