Austria, Imperial. Order of the Knights of Malta, I Class Merit Cross Province of China around a central silver-grey threaded

around a central silver-grey threaded rank pip

the obverse consisting of a SA-style German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika

chipping evident in the white enamels on the arm at 12 o'clock

Instituted 25 June 1902 by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst

an effort that must have taken many months to accomplish by the highly skilled artisans

Austria, Imperial. Order of the Knights of Malta, I Class Merit Cross Province of China around a central silver-grey threaded(Souverner Malteseorden I. Klasse Verdienstkreuz mit Kriegsdekoration). Constructed of gilded silver with multi coloured enamels, consisting of an Anchor Cross with white enamelled arms, the obverse with a central red enamelled medallion bearing a white enamelled Maltese cross, surrounded by a ring of white enamel bearing a gilt inscription of MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI (MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT), the reverse medallion featuring a white