Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, First Class, By Friedrich Orth United Republic of and a removable backing plate

and a removable backing plate with a threaded stud for uniform attachment

obverse depicts leftward-facing raised profile of Prince Heinrich of Bavaria

padded in the center

when he suffered three gas attacks

Gassed during a heavy enemy bombardment near Loos on 6 April 1918

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross, First Class, By Friedrich Orth United Republic of and a removable backing plate(Kriegsverdienstkreuz, I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered tombak, the reverse with a barrel hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a round wire catch, marked on pinback with 15 for maker Friedrich Orth, Wien, measuring 49 mm (w) x 48 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.