Croatia, Independent State. An Order of Merit, I Class Badge, Christian Version United Republic of ""unusually high"" assessments in 1896

""unusually high"" assessments in 1896 and a lack of new members

typical early manufactured version from company "Steinhauer & Lück

Parson with a strength of 14 officers and 233 other ranks

with the ribbing wrapped with twisted and rolled copper wire

Croatia, Independent State. An Order of Merit, I Class Badge, Christian Version United Republic of ""unusually high"" assessments in 1896(Red za zasluge). Instituted in 1942. In silver with red enamels, reverse inscribed 10. IV. ZA ZASLUGE 1942., measuring 44. 3 mm (w) x 47. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, intact enamels, on replacement neck ribbon, extremely fine. Footnote: The Order of Merit was instituted on April 10, 1942 and awarded in four grades: Grand Cross, I Class, II Class and III Class, with separate insignia for Christian and Moslem recipients.