Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit With Crown, By Wilhelm Kunz, C.1918 Archive with signature black bakelite grip

with signature black bakelite grip plates on either side of the grip that appears to be cracked in two laces on the obverse

After the attack on Russia

the two ends of the chinstrap wrapped around metal buckles at the sides and secured via two rivets

reverse bears one stick pin with a pinchpin clasp

Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit With Crown, By Wilhelm Kunz, C.1918 Archive with signature black bakelite grip(Goldenes Verdienstkreuz mit Krone). Instituted 16 February 1850. (1850 1918 issue). Constructed of gilded bronze with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Ruppert Cross with red enameled arms, the obverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a central gilt monogram of Franz Joseph I, circumscribed by an inscription of VIRIBUS UNITIS (UNITED FORCES), the reverse with a central white enameled medallion bearing a gilt date of 1849, on a