Germany, Imperial. A Hohenzollern Medal Bar for First World War Service

(Ordensschnalle mit Bandschnalle). A superb medal bar for First World War service, featuring four decorations, including:

1. 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 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, without visible marks, measuring 43.10 mm (w) x 48.00 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

2. A House Order of Hohenzollern, Military Division, Knight’s Cross, constructed of gilded silver with enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with white enameled arms bordered by black enamels, joined together through the quadrants by a circular green enameled laurel and oak leaf wreath, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted Hohenzollern imperial eagle, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt inscription of “VOM FELS ZUM MEER” (“FROM THE CLIFFS TO THE SEA”) with laurel branches, the reverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a hand-painted monogram of King Wilhelm I, within a ring of blue enamel bearing a gilt institution date of “DEN 18. JANUAR 1851” with laurel branches, topped by a crown suspension connecting to a period original ribbon, the six o’clock arm stamped with a silver content number of “938” and a mark of “FR.” indicating manufacture by Gebrüder Friedländer, Berlin, measuring 39.52 mm (w) x 58.76 mm (h), in extremel fine condition.

3. An Austrian Military Merit Cross, III Class, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée with its arms joined through the quadrants by a circular laurel leaf wreath, the obverse with red and white enameled arms, with a central white enameled disc bearing a raised silver inscription of “VERDIENST” (“MERIT”), within a ring of red enamel, the reverse with white enameled arms and a white enameled centrepiece, the twelve o’clock arm with an integral loop stamped with an illegible silver hallmark, topped by a loop connecting to a period original ribbon, measuring 30.77 mm (w) x 34.22 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A Bulgarian Order of Military Merit, IV Class with Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of Pisan Cross with red enameled arms and with crossed swords through the centrepiece, the obverse with a central red enameled medallion, bearing a silvered monogram of Tsar Ferdinand I, within a ring of green enamel bearing a gilt Bulgarian Cyrillic inscription of “ЗА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА” (“FOR MILITARY MERIT”), the reverse with a central red enameled medallion bearing a silver Bulgarian lion rampant, within a ring of green enamel bearing a gilt date of “2 AUGUST 1891”, without visible marks, measuring 51.52 mm (w) x 55.75 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

All suspended from 135 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and maroon wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition. Accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, set on a 60 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and maroon wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.