Equipment Exchange

This is an original Austrian Gold Merit Cross.  It is my understanding that this was personally presented by Emperor Franz Joseph to the firefighter that received it.

This appears to be a particularly unique example of these merit crosses.  Note the enamel around the

This piece has been in family storage for at least 70 years, and is understood to have been received as a barter item some time prior to that.  In the collection I inherited, there was also a German dress bayonet, presumably belonging to the same firefighter who received the merit cross.  This bayonet will be offered in an upcoming auction and is not included in this listing.  It is pictured here because the items are related and historically relevant to one another.

Note that the piece is actually gold tone brass or bronze. 'Gold' simply denotes the status of the award.

The cloth war ribbon appears aged and slightly yellowed from time, but the piece is in fantastic condition.