A War Merit Cross First Class Without Swords By Austrian Maker Karl Schiermeister Newly Listed The insignia is composed of

The insignia is composed of three metal pieces: a gilt and silvered King's crown with red and green enamels in its base

decals were more often applied by the soldier himself instead of the factory to speed up the manufacturing process

28 of whom lost their lives

The cap measures approximately 270 mm x 170 mm

The prisoners waited for him across the river

A War Merit Cross First Class Without Swords By Austrian Maker Karl Schiermeister Newly Listed The insignia is composed ofA Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse ohne Schwertern; maltese cross in silvered tombak; the obverse pebbled, with a circular raised border of oak leaves on the obverse with a raised mobile swastika in the center; the reverse plain with a vertical slender banjo style pinback, a barrel hinge and a rounded catch; marked 50 for Karl Schiermeister of Vienna on the pin; measuring 48. 29 mm x 48. 59 mm; weighing 17. 0 grams; accompanied by its original case of