(Franz Joseph Orden Ritterkreuz). Instituted December 2, 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph. Type I. In Gold, a red enamelled Maltese cross with a double headed black enamelled eagle in each quadrant, a chain resides in the eagle’s mouths, overlapping the 12 and 6 o’clock arms, the chain inscribed “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (United Strength), the obverse center medallion presents a circular field of white enamel, “FJ” (Franz Joseph) in Gold, reverse medallion is hinged, presenting “1849”on white enamel, the cross is surmounted by a hollow crown, makers marked on the ring "Gebr. Resch" (Gebruder Resch, Wien), with an Austrian "Gemsenkopf" hallmark for 18Kt. Gold purity, and Viennese manufacture, measuring 30.74mm (w) x 56.47mm (h – inclusive of crown suspension and cross adorned horizontally pierced ball), weighs 14.6 grams (inclusive of ribbon), worn on original tri-fold ribbon, enamels intact, reverse medallion loose, reverse medallion does not fully close, near extremely fine condition.
Footnote: The firm of Joseph Resch was a prominent manufacturer of the Order of Franz Joseph from the 1860s onwards.