Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class and Long Service Decoration, III Class for Officers Hold trimmed with interwoven black threaded

trimmed with interwoven black threaded and gold bullion wire piping

The cap band insignia measures 160 mm (w) x 40 mm (h)

obverse centre featuring a superimposed gilded portrait of Vasco Nuñez de Balboa

on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon with “HEREROLAND” clasp

still experiencing slight deafness

Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class and Long Service Decoration, III Class for Officers Hold trimmed with interwoven black threaded(Militrverdienstkreuz). Instituted on October 24th, 1849. Type II (1914 1918 Issue). A Military Merit Cross III Class, of multi piece construction, in silver with red and white enamels, consisting of a Cross Patte with red and white enamelled arms, with gilded laurel leaves in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central white enamelled medallion inscribed with VERDIENST (Merit), the reverse with white enamelled arms and