(Ordensschnalle). A superb medal bar for a veteran of the First and Second World War, bridge by additional Freikorps service, featuring seven 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 43.45 mm (w) x 47.60 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
2. A War Merit Cross, II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms and with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 48.67 mm (w) x 49.40 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
3. A Saxe-Meiningen Cross for Merit in War 1915, constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms fully surrounded by a circular oak leaf wreath, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of Duke Bernhard, the reverse bearing a central raised Saxe-Meiningen coat of arms, the reverse of the wreath bearing an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914/15” (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914/15”), unmarked, measuring 38.44 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.
4. An Honour Cross of the World War 1914/1918, 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 Paul Meybauer, Berlin, measuring 37.49 mm (w) x 41.12 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
5. A Silesian Eagle, II Class, constructed of a blackened and silvered bronze alloy, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, the obverse consisting of a Silesian-style German national eagle clutching a silvered banner bearing a raised inscription of “FÜR SCHLESIEN” (“FOR SILESIA”), overlaid by a silvered crescent and cross, unmarked, measuring 31.30 mm (w) x 40.92 mm (h), with loss of silvered finish evident to the appliques, in near extremely fine condition.
6. A Wehrmacht Long Service Decoration, I Class for 25 Years, constructed of gilded tombak, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon pinned with Heer/Kriegsmarine device, consisting of a Cross Pattée with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, the reverse bearing a central raised number “25”, unmarked, measuring 39.60 mm (w) x 43.98 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
7. A Wehrmacht Long Service Decoration, III Class for 12 Years, constructed of gilded magnetic metal, the obverse bearing a central raised Heer-style German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “TREUE DIENSTE IN DER WEHRMACHT” (“FAITHFUL SERVICE IN THE WEHRMACHT”), the reverse bearing a central wreathed number “12”, unmarked, measuring 29.96 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.
All suspended from a 195 mm-long silvered and polished non-magnetic metal bar with a horizontal pinback and field-grey wool reverse liner, unmarked, in extremely fine condition.