Prussia, Kingdom. An Order of St. John Breast Cross United Republic of a gilt and enamel decoration

a gilt and enamel decoration constructed in the form of an eight-pointed star with tipped rays between the arms

It is dated to Sondershausen (Thuringia

in turn set above an inscription of “WATTWEILER/RHEINPFALZ” of identical composition

interspersed with green threaded chevrons

A textbook example of a mid-war manufacture German “Flak Abzeichen”

Prussia, Kingdom. An Order of St. John Breast Cross United Republic of a gilt and enamel decoration(Ritterorden St. Johannis vom Spital zu Jerusalem Steckkreuz). 15 October 1852 by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV. (1852 1918 issue). Constructed of a silver alloy, the obverse consisting of a vaulted Maltese Cross with pebbled arms trimmed with ribbed borders, the reverse bearing a central raised Cross Patte, with a ball hinge and vertical pinback meeting a locking catch, unmarked, measuring 42. 46 mm (w) x 42. 71 mm (h), weighing 7. 4 grams, in near