Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of some of these Orders were

some of these Orders were re-established as mere Orders of Merit

Für den Reichsarbeitsminister Der Reichsstatthalter in Sachsen" (On behalf of the Fuhrer and Chancellor

and portepee as originally worn

engraver marked "WURDEN"

a 49 mm long knurled needle style pin

Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of some of these Orders were(Souverner Malteseorden, Goldenes Verdienstkreuz). In bronze gilt, consisting of an Anchor Cross, the arms with pebbled borders, the obverse with a central medallion bearing a Maltese Cross circumscribed by an inscription of MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI (MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT), the reverse with an analogous medallion bearing a date of 1916 inside of a laurel wreath, the twelve oclock arm with an integral loop accommodating a suspension ring