Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class and Long Service Decoration, III Class for Officers certificate_of_authenticity with black reverse straps bearing

with black reverse straps bearing reinforced buttonholes meeting an identical buttonhole on the main strap

engraved "350966 JACK RICHARDS" and marked "REGISTERED AT St

one demonstrating some loss of gilt finish to the reverse

though it would not be ratified by the United States (and therefore did not take effect) until February 16

Austria, Imperial. A Military Merit Cross, III Class and Long Service Decoration, III Class for Officers certificate_of_authenticity with black reverse straps bearing(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