Austria, Empire. An First War Bravery & Long Service Medal Bar

An Austrian medal bar with eight awards, mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, including:

1) An Austrian Bravery Medal, Silver I Class, Type IV (1914-1916), by Friedrich Leisek, constructed of silver, the obverse presents Franz Joseph in a Marshal’s uniform facing right and surrounded by the legend “FRANZ JOSEPH I. V. G. G. KAISER V. OESTERREICH,” below the bust is the designer’s name, the reverse presents six crossed regimental colours surrounded by a laurel wreath and the motto “DER TAPFERKEIT” (“FOR BRAVERY”), measuring 40.11 mm in diameter, on loop and suspended from period original crimson and white-laddered war ribbon, and in very fine condition.

2) An Austrian Bravery Medal, Silver II Class, Type IV (1914-1916), by Josef Hermann Tautenhayn, constructed of silver, the obverse presents Franz Joseph in a Marshal’s uniform facing right and surrounded by the legend “FRANZ JOSEPH I. V. G. G. KAISER V. OESTERREICH,” below the bust is the designer’s name, the reverse presents six crossed regimental colours surrounded by a laurel wreath and the motto “DER TAPFERKEIT” (“FOR BRAVERY”), measuring 31.03 mm in diameter, on loop and suspended from period original crimson and white-laddered war ribbon, and in very fine condition.

3) An Austrian Bravery Medal, Bronze, Type IV (1914-1916), by Josef Hermann Tautenhayn, constructed of bronze, the obverse presents Franz Joseph in a Marshal’s uniform facing right and surrounded by the legend “FRANZ JOSEPH I. V. G. G. KAISER V. OESTERREICH,” below the bust is the designer’s name, the reverse presents six crossed regimental colours surrounded by a laurel wreath and the motto “DER TAPFERKEIT” (“FOR BRAVERY”), measuring 31.43 mm in diameter, on loop and suspended from period original crimson and white-laddered war ribbon, and in very fine condition.

4) An Austrian Iron Merit Cross, with Crown, constructed of solid iron in the shape of a Rupert cross, the centre obverse presents the initials “FJ” for “Franz Joseph,” surrounded by a ring inscribed “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“JOINING FORCES”), the reverse presents the date “1916,” circumscribed by a ring engraved with a wreath, on loop and swivel crown for suspension from period original crimson and white-laddered ribbon, measuring 34.51 mm (w) x 57.46 mm (h - inclusive of crown), and in overall very fine condition.

5) A Karl Troop Cross, a zink cross pattée with a laurel wreath between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a pebbled finish inscribed “GRATI PRINCEPS ET PATRIA - CAROLUS IMPETREX,” the reverse depicting two royal crowns, the letter “C” and “VITAM ET SANGVINEM” along with the date “1918,” on a double loop suspension from period original crimson and white-laddered ribbon, measuring 29.50 mm (w) x 34.88 mm (h), and in better than very fine condition.

6) An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 with Swords, constructed of a bronzed iron (magnetic) cross pattée, swords cross between the arms, the obverse shows a laurel wreath surrounding the dates 1914 and 1918, the reverse smooth, unmarked, measures 38.19 mm (w) x 42.26 mm (h), on ring through eyelet and suspended from period original ribbon, and in extremely fine condition.

7) A German Wehrmacht 25 Years Long Service Cross, in fire-gilded bronze, a cross pattée with pebbled arms, the centre obverse shows a Wehrmacht-style eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse centre presents the number “25,” measuring 40.08 mm (w) x 44.05 mm (h), on loop for suspension from period original ribbon featuring a miniature, gilded eagle, and in overall extremely fine condition.

8) A War Commemorative Medal, constructed of bronze, the obverse depicts an Austrian eagle supported by an Austrian coat of arms, all above the inscription “FÜR ÖSTERREICH” (“FOR AUSTRIA”), the reverse displays the dates “1914 - 1918” within an oak wreath, measuring 36.05 mm in diameter, suspended from period original white and red ribbon featuring miniature swords, and in extremely fine condition.