Austria, Imperial. A Merit Cross In Gold, Ii Class With Case, By V. Mayer’s Söhne Archive with dual crown suspension and

with dual crown suspension and period original tri-fold ribbon with clasp and magnetic metal hook and loop

when he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps as a 2nd Class Air Mechanic on April 13

the panels sewn in place via stitching at the front behind the cockade

The remaining two rivets accommodate a two-piece brown leather chinstrap

intact iron core

Austria, Imperial. A Merit Cross In Gold, Ii Class With Case, By V. Mayer’s Söhne Archive with dual crown suspension and(Verdienstkreuz in Gold, II. Klasse mit Etui). Instituted 2 February 1849. (1872 1918 issue). Constructed of Gold with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with a Gold frame and red enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion with a Gold monogram of Emperor Franz Joseph, set within Gold ring, with the outer rim of the medallion bearing a gilt inscription of VIRIBUS UNITIS (WITH UNITED FORCES), the reverse with a