Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 GTRexclude suspended together with safety pin

suspended together with safety pin attachment

of fine quality French manufacture

but typical badge by maker B

with ornate pin & two catches

residue in the recessed areas of the UM badge from cleaning

Austria, I Republic. A Military Merit Cross I Class, By Anton Reitterer, C.1935 GTRexclude suspended together with safety pin(Militrverdienstkreuz I Klasse). Instituted 22 October 1849 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. (1849 1918 issue; ca. 1935 reissue). Constructed of silver with multi coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Patte, the obverse with finely detailed red and white enameled arms, with a central white enameled medallion bearing a raised gilt inscription of VERDIENST (MERIT), within a red enameled ring, with a gilt laurel wreath set through the quadrants, the reverse