Hungarian Six Medal Bar

Hungarian Six Medal BarHungarian Six Medal Bar This is an early example. The first medal is the Austro Hungarian Medal for Bravery (Tapferkeitsmedaille) in bronze with a silver bar cypher. This medal was established in 1789, was the premier military decoration for courage in combat for enlisted personnel and NCOs until 1918. It was awarded in classes of Gold, Silver (1st 2nd Class), and Bronze, featuring portraits of Emperor Franz Joseph I or Karl I, with the inscription

Hungarian Six Medal Bar-This is an early example. The first medal is the Austro-Hungarian Medal for Bravery (Tapferkeitsmedaille) in bronze with a silver bar cypher. This medal was established in 1789, was the premier military decoration for courage in combat for enlisted personnel and NCOs until 1918. It was awarded in classes of Gold, Silver (1st/2nd Class), and Bronze, featuring portraits of Emperor Franz Joseph I or Karl I, with the inscription "Der Tapferkeit" on the reverse. This has great tone and details. The second medal in the bar is a Karl Troop Cross. This cross was awarded for service up to the end of the First World War to soldiers and sailors of all arms of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces, regardless of rank, who had been with a combatant unit for at least twelve weeks and who had participated in at least one battle. Members of the air service who made ten flights over enemy lines were also eligible. The third medal is the German Cross of Honor. The fourth medal is the Austro Hungarian 6 year long service award for Military. There is the large bronze IV on the center obverse. This bronze medal is in very good condition. It shows light wear on the high points of the roman numeral, but overall the finish is mostly intact. The fifth medal is a Tirol Defense Commemorative Medal. This was issued in several versions to honor those who defended the region against invaders, in this case probably Italy. The obverse features an eagle and the reverse reads: "DAS LAND TIROL DEN VERTEIDIGERN DES WATERLANDES DES 1914-1918". This is a beautiful bronze medal with a finish that is mostly intact. The final and sixth medal is very interesting. This is a German Social Welfare medal. It has the large broad wing eagle in the center obverse, sitting on a cross. Very similar to the DRK emblem. This was a civil award given to recognize services sch as healthcare, nursing or welfare This is a silver social welfare badge that retains the majority of its silver finish, though it has toned to a nice matte color.  The reverse is not backed with wool, you can see the metal plate. This is in very good condition. The long horizontal pin is in place and functions as it should. This is a wicked neat early medal bar! It sure tells a story.