Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, I Class with Crown by W. Kunz Republic of obverse centre in bronze gilt

obverse centre in bronze gilt composing by a stenciled gilded Dutch lion on a dark-blue enameled background

The handle is composed of a single piece of polished dark brown wood

in turn retaining a suspension ring with a period original ribbon

marked "CB CABA V

3 cm (w) x 13

Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, I Class with Crown by W. Kunz Republic of obverse centre in bronze gilt(Goldenes Verdienstkreuz mit Krone). Instituted 16 February 1850. (1850 1918 issue). Military Division. Constructed of gilded bronze with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a cross with red enamelled arms, the obverse with a central white enamelled medallion bearing a central gilt monogram of Franz Joseph I, circumscribed by an inscription of VIRIBUS UNITIS (UNITED FORCES), the reverse with a central white enamelled medallion bearing a gilt date of