Austria, Empire. A Merit Cross "1849", I Class In Gold, By V.mayer, C.1900 certificate_of_authenticity 1939 he was drafted and

1939 he was drafted and placed in the Armee-Verpflegungsamt (Army Rations Department) 603

the name changed to the Socialist Republic of Romanian in 1965 and remaining that way until the collapse of communist rule in 1989

(NSDAP Kragenspiegel für Oberabschnittsleiter)

the other designated Class "B" and numbered C36529 for Service in England

inscribed in black ink with the owner's initials "WH" on the underside of the belt behind the tab

Austria, Empire. A Merit Cross "1849", I Class In Gold, By V.mayer, C.1900 certificate_of_authenticity 1939 he was drafted and(Verdienstkreuz). Instituted in 1849. Type II (1875 1913). In Gold with red and white enamels, weighing 14. 6 grams, hallmarked with a goat's head flanked by a "3" on the left and an "A" (Vienna) on the right, and maker marked "V. MAYER & SHNE IN WIEN" on the ring, measuring 35. 5 mm (w) x 55. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, tiny scuff mark in the white enamels on the reverse centrepiece, very light contact overall, original triangular