Austria, Empire. A Rare Military Order Of Maria Theresia In Gold, Grand Cross, C.1880 Auction A War Merit Cross 1st

A War Merit Cross 1st Class wth Swords by Wilhelm Deumer -  In silvered zinc

also stamped with letter A on bottom of flat loop and on integral ring

bent wire hooks

13th of July

Austria, Empire. A Rare Military Order Of Maria Theresia In Gold, Grand Cross, C.1880 Auction A War Merit Cross 1st(Militr Maria Theresien Orden). Instituted on June 18, 1757 by Empress Maria Theresia. (Issued 1757 1918). An officially issued Grand Cross, constructed of 18Kt. GOLD and enamels, in the form of a Genfer Kreuz (Geneva Cross) with waved arm finials, the obverse with a round central medallion depicting the Austrian national colors (red white red) in enamels, surrounded by a broad ring of white enamels, inscribed FORTITUDINI (Fortitude) in GOLD capital