Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) Hold at Fort Providence rested on

at Fort Providence rested on a concern about hunting and trapping rights

81 mm (w) x 10

silver hallmarked on catch and pin with boars head as well as the hallmark of Octave Lasne

Private Blake was subsequently transferred to the 198th Infantry Battalion "Canadian Buffs"

and is marked STERLING on the reverse of the 6 o’clock arm

Austria, Empire. Merit Cross 1849, I Class Gold Cross With Crown, Third Period (1914-1918) Hold at Fort Providence rested on(Verdienstkreuz). Instituted in 1849. Multi piece construction, in bronze gilt with red and white enamels, bronze hallmarked and maker marked "WILM. KUNZ WIEN X" (Wilhelm Kunz, Vienna) on the ring, measuring 36 mm (w) x 58. 5 mm (h) inclusive of its crown suspension, intact enamels, the reverse centrepiece rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise, original triangular war ribbon with hook and eye, better than very fine. In an unmatched but authentic