Austria, Empire. An Imperial Austro-Hungarian Pilot Badge, c. 1917

(Flugzeugführer und Beobachterabzeichen). Issued 1917-1918. Two-piece construction, consisting of a patinated bronze eagle clutching gilt lightning bolts, fastened onto an open-ended oval shaped and white enameled laurel wreath via two rivets visible on the reverse, towards the top of the badge is a white enameled shield featuring the red enameled cipher of Karl I, while the bottom of the wreath is decorated with the coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The reverse plain, with two hooks for uniform attachment, marked “J. ZIMBLER WIEN. VII." on the reverse, measuring 56.97 mm (w) x 56.78 mm (h), weighing 21.5 grams, with light loss of its original gilt finish, as well as some signs of wear, but in overall very fine condition.