Vatican, Papal State. An Order Of Pius Ix, Iii Class Knight, C.1845 Hold Louis Unit (Base Hospital No

Louis Unit (Base Hospital No

issued to Pickhardt on 24 September 1940 and indicating that he worked as a mining engineer

It features a 770 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip

2 mm (h) inclusive of its star and crescent moon suspension

With rectangular cardboard box

Vatican, Papal State. An Order Of Pius Ix, Iii Class Knight, C.1845 Hold Louis Unit (Base Hospital No(Ordine di Pio IX, AKA Ordine Piano). Instituted in 1847. Four piece construction, in 18K Gold with navy blue and white enamels, weighing 14. 3 grams, unmarked, inscribed "PIVS IX" (Pope Pius IX, Papacy: 1856 1878) on the centrepiece, the centrepiece ring inscribed in Latin "VIRTVTI ET MERITO" (Virtue and Merit), the centrepiece backed by eight enamelled star points, with flames appearing between each star point, measuring 42. 8 mm (w) x 48. 3 mm (h)