(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar for a Bavarian First World War combatant with earlier colonial service, featuring six decorations, including:
1. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords and Crown, constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, set within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, unmarked, measuring 42.72 mm (w) x 65.39 mm (h), weighing 29.1 grams, in near extremely fine condition.
2. 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, the suspension loop maker marked “KO” for a widely-documented by unidentified manufacturer, measuring 42.87 mm (w) x 47.88 mm (h), weighing 14.9 grams, in extremely fine condition.
3. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918 for Combatants, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing central wreathed dates “1914-1918”, the reverse maker marked with the logo of an unidentified manufacturer, measuring 37.50 mm (w) x 42.15 mm (h), weighing 13.9 grams, demonstrating moderate surface oxidation, in very fine condition.
4. A South West Africa Campaign Medal for Combatants, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of Germania, circumscribed by an inscription of “SUEDWEST AFRIKA 1904/06”, the reverse bearing a central raised monogram of Kaiser Wilhelm II, circumscribed by an inscription of “DEN SIEGREICHEN STREITERN” (“TO THE VICTORIOUS FIGHTERS”), unmarked, measuring 32.80 mm in diameter, weighing 15.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.
5. A Bavarian Long Service Award, I Class for 15 Years, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 39.21 mm (w) x 43.57 mm (h), weighing 9.9 grams, in extremely fine condition.
6. A Prussian Long Service Award, II Class for 12 Years, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, unmarked, measuring 30.02 mm in diameter, weighing 12.8 grams, in extremely fine condition.
All suspended from a 170 mm-long magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and black wool reverse liner, unmarked, demonstrating minor soiling to the ribbons consistent metal oxidation, an unaltered example to a recipient with lengthy and storied military service in very fine condition.