Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, 3rd Class with Small Decoration

Militärverdienstkreuz. Instituted in 1849. Type II (1914-1918). In silver with red and white enamels, marked with a Diana's head (Dianakopf) hallmark, which was used between 1872 and 1922, the head flanked by the number "2" (silver fineness) on the left and the assay city mark "A" (Vienna) on the right, along with an indecipherable maker's mark on the obverse of the integral suspension, measuring 31.2 mm (w) x 34 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, war decoration clasp with gold swords in silver gilt with red, white and green enamels affixed to its original triangular ribbon with hook and eye, intact enamels, extremely fine.