Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit With Crown, By V. Mayers Söhne, Ca. 1915 United Republic of names engraved "H

names engraved "H

This tail prevented the smock from riding over the head of the wearer when parachuting and could be undone upon landing

Original two-piece leather chinstrap has been lost to time

and seeing action in both France and Belgium

mounted to suspension with swing bar pinback

Austria, Imperial. A Cross Of Merit With Crown, By V. Mayers Söhne, Ca. 1915 United Republic of names engraved "H(Silbernes Verdienstkreuz mit Krone). Instituted 16 February 1850. (1850 1918 issue). Constructed of silver with 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 gilded and enameled