Austria, Empire. Two Merit Decorations, C.1917 certificate_of_authenticity A very scarce award

A very scarce award

maker marked "Fr

A 1936 Krefeld-Uerdingen Adolf Hitler Rheinbrücke badge

maker marked "2" on ring

and were told that their time there would count double for overseas service

Austria, Empire. Two Merit Decorations, C.1917 certificate_of_authenticity A very scarce awardCross of Merit, 2nd Class, Third Period (1914 1918): Verdienstkreuz. Instituted in 1849. In silver gilt with red and white enamels, marked with a Diana's head (Dianakopf) hallmark, which was used between 1872 and 1922, the head flanked by the number "2" (silver fineness) on the left and the assay city mark "A" (Vienna) on the right, and maker marked "G. A. S." (G. A. Scheid) on the ring, measuring 36. 5 mm (w) x 40. 7 mm (h), chipping evident in the