Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 Hold and placed with No

and placed with No

number impressed "143325" on the reverse

It is signed in blue ink: E

35 mm x 77 mm

marked “L/21” (Förster & Barth

Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 Hold and placed with No(Militrverdienstkreuz I Klasse). Instituted 22 October 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. (1849 1918 issue; ca. 1935 reissue). Constructed of silver with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Patte, the obverse with finely detailed red and white enameled arms, with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised gilt inscription of VERDIENST (MERIT), within a red enameled ring, with a gilt laurel wreath set through the quadrants, the reverse