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This commemorates the winter and spring campaign in the Carpathian mountains in 1915, when Austria battled manfully against Russian assaults, initially with very little German support. Austrian losses by this point reached nearly two million men in dead, wounded and taken prisoner. This is an extremely high quality gilt enamelled piece, of a higher standard than much similar material of this era, which shows the eagles of Austria and Prussia surmounted by the Hungarian coat of arms, with a banner referring to the Carpathian Campaign above a pair of clasped hands. The reverse has a Hungarian maker's name. There is an interesting socket at the reverse for placing a sprig of fir (winter) or oak leaf (summer), traditional emblems worn in Austrian military headdress on campaign. It measures nearly 3cm across and its condition is excellent. It appears to have a light lacquer finish over all. |