AUSTRIA – CROSS FOR MILITARY MERIT IN WAR – 1914 – OFFICER’S CLASS, GILT

This is an excellent example of the Austrian Military Merit Cross in War (Militärverdienstkreuz im Kriege), instituted by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1849 and awarded for distinguished service both in peacetime and in wartime. The example offered here is the officer-grade gilt version, issued during the First World War.

The decoration is a finely struck gilt Maltese cross, with pebbled arms and a central superimposed laurel wreath bound at the base with a bow. At the center of the obverse is the imperial cypher of Emperor Franz Joseph I, surmounted by a crown, and the date “1914” at the lower arm—signifying the award’s issue during the Great War. The reverse bears the raised inscription “FÜR / AUSZEICHNUNG IM / KRIEGE” (“For Merit in War”), reflecting its presentation specifically for wartime service.

The cross is suspended from its correct trifold Austrian ribbon—a yellow moiré with red edge stripes bordered by white—denoting award during wartime. The ribbon retains excellent color, though minor fraying is visible toward the bottom edges from age and wear.

Condition: The gilt finish remains bright and clean with only the most minimal handling marks. Details to the wreath, cypher, and lettering are crisp. The ribbon is original and intact, with light fraying and stitch marks where once affixed to a uniform or display bar. No enamel loss is present, as this variant was produced without enamel.

This is a desirable First World War-period Austrian officer’s award—a fine example for collectors focusing on Austro-Hungarian honors, Great War decorations, or cross-awards to German allies.