These were sold to raise money for the displaced mountain people of Tyrol and the Dolomites, who became refugees due to the war with Italy, hence the Latin inscription 'Pro fugis auxilium' round the edge with a Tyrol eagle at the top and two small edelweiss on each side, with 1914-1916 between, and the central die-struck image of the Dolomites.
This is a view of the Earth Pyramids near modern Bolzano (Bozen of old) in the Ritten Mountains of the Dolomites (South Tyrol). These buttonholes originally cost two kronen.
There is no maker's name on the reverse and it would appear to have been made of soft iron in order to have a successful die-struck image. The enamel is grass green, the traditional colour for piping and facings on Austrian mountain troop uniforms.
It measures 3.4cm long and it would appear that there is no enamel damage.
If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.
[Militaria : Badges : Austrian : 20th Century]
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