(Ordensschnalle). A medal bar to a highly-decorated Bavarian recipient with First and Second World War combat services. It features 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 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 43.33 mm (w) x 48.18 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
2. A 1939 Clasp to the Iron Cross II Class, Prinzen size, constructed of silvered tombak, the obverse consisting of a Wehrmacht eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, in turn situated above a trapezoidal plaque bearing a raised date of “1939” on a pebbled background, the reverse with both attachment prongs intact and securely fastened to the ribbon of the accompanying 1914 Iron Cross II Class, unmarked but demonstrating the physical characteristics of manufacture by Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, measuring 24.40 mm (w) x 24.48 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
3. A War Merit Cross II Class with Swords, constructed of bronze zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, with crossed swords piercing the centrepiece, the obverse bearing a central wreathed mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm bearing a central wreathed date of “1939”, without visible marks, measuring 48.25 mm (w) x 49.64 mm (h), with two spots of oxidation visible to the obverse, in better than very fine condition.
4. A Bavarian Military Merit Cross, II Class with Crown and Swords, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a raised and silvered monogram of King Ludwig II, within a white enameled stylized belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, with a crossed sword clasp riveted to the twelve o’clock arm, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing a raised date of “1866” and arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a swivel hinge with a crown suspension and loop connecting to a period original ribbon, without visible marks, measuring 42.56 mm (w) x 66.54 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
5. 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 L. Christian Lauer, Nuremberg, measuring 37.50 (w) x 41.42 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
6. A Bavarian Industry 25-Year Faithful Service Decoration, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon the obverse consisting of a blue and white enameled Bavarian national shield, flanked by raised Bavarian national lions rampant clutching a cogwheel, above a mobile swastika flanked by oak leaves, topped by an inscription of “EHRE DER ARBEIT” (“HONOUR LABOUR”), the reverse bearing a central raised inscription of “FÜR 25 JAHRE TREUE DIENSTE” (“FOR 25 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE”), circumscribed by a raised inscription of “DIE BAYERISCHE INDUSTRIE” (“BAVARIAN INDUSTRY”), the edge marked with a silver content number of “990”, measuring 33.92 mm (w) x 49.50 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.
7. An Air Defence Honour Decoration, II Class, constructed of silvered zink, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon, consisting of a circular oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a central raised mobile swastika, circumscribed by an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM LUFTSCHUTZ” (“FOR MERIT IN AIR DEFENCE”), the reverse bearing a central raised date of “1938”, unmarked, measuring 38.64 mm (w) x 43.00 mm (h), in near mint condition.
All suspended from a 175 mm-long aluminum bar with a horizontal pinback and grey wool reverse liner, unmarked, a high-quality assembly in extremely fine condition.