Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, First Period (One Class), Type III with War Decoration Archive circumscribed by a buckled belt

circumscribed by a buckled belt

surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves and acorns

and topped with the royal crown at the top

surrounded by the inscription "VETERANS of FOREIGN WARS of THE UNITED STATES"

Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, First Period (One Class), Type III with War Decoration Archive circumscribed by a buckled belt(Militrverdienstkreuz). Instituted on October 24th, 1849. First Period (1849 1914). (c. 1860s issue). An early and well preserved example of this award, of multi piece construction, in silver with red and white enamels, on a fixed ring and swivel loop for suspension from its period original tri fold ribbon, consisting of a Cross Patte with red and white enameled arms, with gilded laurel leaves in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the