Austrian Empire

circa 1935. Gilt bronze, partially enameled, reverse with two vertical pin attachments. Height 20 mm. Lightly worn, condition 2.
Extremely rare.
The Austrian Air Force was completely integrated into the German Luftwaffe after March 13, 1938. The pilot badges were exchanged for the German badge.

Non-ferrous metal, without ribbon, in original presentation case. 

Base metal, in fitted case.

Brass, stamped, reverse with pin. Worn, condition 2.

Gilt bronze, on original triangular ribbon, condition 2.

Large pin-back badge for veterans, reverse with pin attachment, condition 2.

Bronze, on triangular ribbon, condition 2.

Large pin-back badge, silver-plated base metal, introduced by decree of the Federal Ministry of the Interior dated March 8, 1950, federal eagle with broken chains, inscription “Gendarmerie Alpinist” surrounded by green enamel, reverse with magnetic double mounting clip.

Silver, die-cutter “Tautenhayn”, on original triangular ribbon, condition 2-.

Manufactured during World War I from fine silk moiré, finely sewn execution, length 80 cm, unworn, condition 2.
Recipient is known. Extremely rare.

Portrait of Emperor Karl. Various versions.

Gilt bronze, on ribbon, Condition 2

Model 1913-1918. Bronze, partially silver-plated, complete with ribbon. Condition 2.

From 1916. Portrait of Emperor Karl, “Fortitudini”, on war ribbon. Condition 2.

“Signum Laudis”, portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph, gilt bronze on war ribbon, condition 2+

“Signum Laudis”, portrait of Emperor Karl, with die-cutter “Kautsch”, on red triangular ribbon. Condition 2+

 “Signum Memoriae”, on triangular ribbon, condition 2

 “Signum Memoriae”, on triangular ribbon, condition 2

“Signum Memoriae”, without ribbon, condition 2.

"Signum Memoriae", without ribbon, condition 2-

Light gray with silver printed crown over “E”, interior blue silk lining with impression “Wien 4. Juni 1907”, the insert bed is missing!
Empress Elisabeth Monument, erected 1904-1907, unveiled on June 4, 1907 in the presence of the Emperor. As a memorial for the consort of Franz Joseph I, who fell victim to an assassination in Geneva on September 10, 1898.

Bronze, partially gilt, the center toned, execution with wide ring suspension and the large ribbon ring, complete with new ribbon. Worn in good condition.

Made of bronze alloy, on original triangular ribbon. Condition 2.

Gilt bronze, on original ribbon, condition 2

Post-1918 manufacture. Mounted on fabric backing with backing plate. Condition 2.

Gilt bronze, on damaged original triangular ribbon, condition 2

Silver-plated non-ferrous metal, hollow embossed, width 90 mm. Condition 2.

This is an awarded version made of tombac, solid construction, with 2 attachment clips on reverse.
Originally instituted as a cap badge, it was however worn on the chest by the troops. Extremely rare.

Original sewn triangular silk ribbon with applied miniature decoration of the 1st Class with War Decoration and swords, silver-plated and gilt, partially enameled. Only minimally worn, condition 2+.

Fine zinc, on original war ribbon with applied miniature. Condition 2.

According to specialist literature (J. Steiner), there were fewer than 50 multiple awards of the Iron Merit Cross (with and without crown).

silver-plated, die engraver “Tautenhayn”, with edge stamping “Bronze”, on triangular ribbon, condition 2.

27 mm, the wreath finely enameled, 2nd model still with only 1 crown, with coat of arms shield “K” for Kaiser Karl.

Gilt bronze, enameled on both sides, for the order chain. Condition 2.

Gilt base metal, finely enameled. Height 28 mm. Reverse with pin. 

From 1916. Portrait of Emperor Karl, “Fortitudini”, on war ribbon. Condition 2.

The Knight's Cross is a manufacture by the firm Rothe, Wien, last model from World War I. Gold, finely enameled on both sides. Hallmarked at the top in the suspension loop: FR in rhombus (= Rothe firm, Wien between 1872-1922), chamois head 3A (= 750 gold 1872-1922 assay office Wien) and A with stroke (secondary parts precious metal). Weight 11.4 grams. Only minimally worn, in exceptionally fine condition.

Of the 110 awards during World War I, only 30 were made by 1918, the remaining 80 between 1920 and 1931!
The later recipients initially received only a declaration of eligibility for the decoration and then had to procure pieces themselves; from the mid-1920s onwards, older pieces were issued by the HGM, mostly from the Napoleonic Wars (as numerous pieces were in stock and cheaper than new procurement from the order jeweler).

Base metal, diameter approx. 45 mm, obverse “Maria Anna Augusta Ferdinandi I Imp et Regis”, reverse “Et altera mihi Patria - Coron Pragae Sept MDCCCXXXVI”, condition 2.

This is a post-1945 production. Execution in gilt bronze, the wreath finely enameled, with coat of arms shield “FJ1”, the eagle bronzed. Reverse marked with maker “J. Zimbler Wien VII”, condition 2.
A collector's copy, made after 1945.

This is a post-1945 reproduction.
Executed in gilt bronze, the wreath finely enameled, with coat of arms shield “FJ1”, the eagle burnished. Reverse marked with maker “J. Zimbler Wien VII”, condition 2.
A collector's copy, made after 1945.

Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III, presentation case in typical execution, silk lining with imprint of the jeweler V. Mayer's Söhne K.u.K. Hof-u. Kammer-Juweliere Ordenfabrikanten Wien

circa 1860/70. Tall pin badge, relief-worked, silver-plated, partially enameled, the applied crowned coat of arms gilded, with applied stag's head for Head Gamekeeper, reverse with vertical pin, height 65 mm.

Archduke Leopold II of Habsburg-Tuscany (1797-1870) was grandson of Emperor Leopold II. He maintained hunting estates between Karlsbad and Brandeis an der Elbe as well as in Gmunden/Salzkammergut

Gilt non-ferrous metal with polychrome enamel. Applied burnished eagle at center, reverse with vertical pin bar for German pilots. Reverse with maker's mark “BSW” (= Brüder Schneider Wien). Worn example, minor enamel damage to obverse medallion “K”, reverse with old repair to pin catch, lightning bolts removed from eagle's talons by wearer. Condition 2.

Red case with imprint “Militär-Verdienst-Kreuz II. Klasse Kriegs-Dekoration” with neck ribbon section, condition 2. Very rare.

The breast star in silver with brilliant-cut decoration, the applied order cross in gold, finely enameled. Height 80 mm. Reverse with maker's mark on the decorative plate “Vic. Mayer's Söhne Wien”. Hallmarked on the pin “A A”. Only slightly worn, condition 2+.

for dress coat chain, Condition 2.

Silver, enameled on both sides, on triangular ribbon, condition 2.

Large pin-on badge, hollow-embossed fine zinc, reverse without safety pin, condition 2.
Compare M.C. Ortner “Sturmtruppen...”, page 94, Militaria Verlag Wien

Cap badges were very popular in the Austro-Hungarian Army during WWI and were worn by soldiers on their caps as unit insignia.

Small pin-back badge, hollow-embossed brass, with pin fastener on reverse. Worn condition, Condition 2.
Cap badges were very popular in the Austrian Army during World War I and were worn by soldiers on their caps as unit insignia.

Vertically oval pin-back badge, fine zinc hollow-embossed, reverse with safety pin, dimensions approx. 3.5 x 2.4 cm, condition 2.
Compare M.C. Ortner "Sturmtruppen...", page 94, Militaria Verlag Wien

Cap badges were very popular in the Austro-Hungarian Army during WWI and were worn by soldiers on their caps as unit insignia.

Austrian manufacture for the firm Scharffenberg in Dresden. Brilliant-set breast star, the overlay of gold, finely enameled, mounted on buttonhole rosette. On the reverse, the button marked “G. A. Scharffenberg Ordensfabrikant”. Lightly worn, condition 2. Very rare.

Non-ferrous metal, hollow embossed, condition 2.

The breast star is a product of the firm Rothe, Vienna, circa 1900. The star body made of brilliant-cut silver, the medallion with appliqués in gold, finely enameled. On the reverse, the pin is hallmarked “FR. Rothe Wien” and twice “A” with dash. On the reverse medallion stamped “FR” in rhombus (= Rothe firm Vienna 1885-1922), greyhound head 3A (= 800 silver 1872-1922) and “A” (official mark for precious metal components). Only lightly worn, in exceptionally fine condition.
Only minimally worn, in exceptionally fine condition.

32 mm, pin back

The Knight's Cross is a manufacture by the firm “V. Mayer's Söhne”, Vienna, circa 1925. Cross silver gilt, finely enameled on both sides. Dimensions of the cross 31 mm x 32 mm. Complete with single mount bar in German style. Only lightly worn, in exceptionally fine condition. Very rare.

The firm V. Mayer's Söhne was one of the most renowned orders manufacturers in Austria in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Knight's Crosses of the Military Order of Maria Theresa from World War I are rarely found. During World War I, the Military Order of Maria Theresa was only manufactured by the firms Rothe and Mayer. Of the 110 awards during World War I, only 30 were made by 1918, the remaining 80 between 1920 and 1931! The recipients awarded later initially received only a declaration of worthiness for the order and then had to procure pieces themselves. The firm “V. Mayer's Söhne” ceased operations in 1935.

Pin-back badge, non-ferrous metal embossed hollow construction, reverse with pin fastener, marked "Bildhauer Gurschner Wien". Condition 2.
Cap badges were very popular in the Austrian Army during World War I and were worn by soldiers on their caps as unit insignia.

Base metal, diameter approx. 45 mm, obverse “Maria Anna Augusta Ferdinandi I Imp et Regis”, reverse “Et altera mihi Patria - Coron Pragae Sept MDCCCXXXVI”, condition 2.