Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of a 49 mm long knurled

a 49 mm long knurled needle style pin

obverse presenting a large white enameled star

including Whytock

some of these Orders were re-established as mere Orders of Merit

Austria, Imperial. A Sovereign Order Of The Knights Of Malta, Gold Merit Cross, C.1916 United Republic of a 49 mm long knurled(Souverner Malteseorden, Goldenes Verdienstkreuz). In bronze gilt, consisting of an Anchor Cross, the arms with pebbled borders, the obverse with a central medallion bearing a Maltese Cross circumscribed by an inscription of MIL. ORDO EQUITUM MELIT BENE MERENTI (MILITARY ORDER OF MERIT), the reverse with an analogous medallion bearing a date of 1916 inside of a laurel wreath, the twelve oclock arm with an integral loop accommodating a suspension ring