Austria, Imperial. An Early Military Merit Cross, c.1860 Auction Archive unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics

unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a high-quality example produced for recipient replacement and collector display by the firm of Rudolf Souval

the aircraft coming to rest in the Laacher Sea (a volcanic caldera lake) near Andernach Germany

the reverse bearing a central silver medallion overlaid by a raised number of “1849”

marked with a boars head mark on the 6 o’clock (denoting French manufacture of 900 silver

A grouping of three Austrian Fire Long Service medals

Austria, Imperial. An Early Military Merit Cross, c.1860 Auction Archive unmarked but demonstrating the characteristicsInstituted October 24, 1849. Type I. (Civil Division). An early and well constructed cross, in silver and red enamels, the obverse medallion featuring the inscription VER DIENST, the reverse is of white enamels, measures 29. 87 mm (w) x 34. 18 mm (h), weighs 13. 46 grams inclusive of ribbon, worn on a thick original double barrel suspension loop and trifold ribbon, very minor enamel wear to the reverse, dark patina, extremely fine.