Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, First Period (One Class), Type III with War Decoration Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic (Leopold Orden Ritterkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration)

(Leopold Orden Ritterkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration)

with a green felt underside

along with the motto VIRTUTI ET MERITO

with a slatted an depressed emerald green velvet medal bed

Some authorities believe the beginning of this Order can be linked to Emperor Constantine I and the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312

Austria, Empire. A Military Merit Cross, First Period (One Class), Type III with War Decoration Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic (Leopold Orden Ritterkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration)(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 broad 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