(Ordenschnalle mit Abzeichen und Etui). A fascinating and unique set of awards to a German combatant of the Middle Eastern Theatre, who later became prisoner of war (POW) in British custody. It consists of: A medal bar 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 twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, 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 42.85 mm (w) x 46.44 mm (h), in near mint condition.
2. A Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross, II Class, constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms and a ribbed frame, the obverse with a central monogram of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV, the six o’clock arm with a date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR AUSZEICHNUNG IM KRIEGE” (“FOR EXCELLENCE IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 40.78 mm (w) x 44.84 mm (h), in near mint condition.
3. A Hamburg Hanseatic Cross, constructed of silvered copper with enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with red enameled arms and a red enameled centrepiece bearing a silvered Hamburg coat of arms, the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR”), unmarked, measuring 40.68 mm (w) x 45.33 mm (h), with some flecking visible to the enamels, in extremely fine condition.
4. An Ottoman Liyakat Medal, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with clasp, unmarked, measuring 24.70 mm in diameter, with minor tarnishing evident, in better than very fine condition. All suspended from a 120 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and brown satin reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.
Also including:
5. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, constructed of iron and silver, 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 twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the revere with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 42.39 mm (w) x 42.15 mm (h), weighing 12.8 grams, some bending is visible to the frame consistent with post-manufacture attempts to vault the cross, in near extremely fine condition.
6. A Black Grade Wound Badge, constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, around a central raised Stahlhelm on top crossed swords on a pebbled field, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 37.88 mm (w) x 42.94 mm (h), weighing 12.3 grams, with minor loss of finish evident, in better than very fine condition.
7. A POW tag, constructed of aluminum, the obverse bearing a central monogram circumscribed by inscriptions of “CAIRO 1918-1919” and “P.O.W. 42324”, the latter flanking an Ottoman crescent and star, flanked by perforations through which is looped a two-piece brown leatherette strap for wear, the tag measuring 35 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
All concealed within a custom storage case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the interior with a padded purple satin lid liner and dark navy blue velvet medal ded, closing with dual functional swivel clips, unmarked, measuring 16 cm (w) x 17 cm (l) x 4 cm (h), with minor material fatigue evident, in near extremely fine condition.