Austria-Hungary Post WW2 Order made in...

[Eric Stahlhut]

Edited June 9, 2008 by Eric Stahlhut

[Eric Stahlhut]

[Eric Stahlhut]

[Paul R]

Muy interesante!!!

I did not know that they were making export medals at that time!!

[Eric Stahlhut]

if it is indeed of cuban manufacture, it would have to have been produced sometime between 1952 and 1959, as this order was introduced in 1952 to replace the honor badge for merit type 1.

[Eric Stahlhut]

the overall quality of the medal is poor, especially for an 'austrian' item

[Eric Stahlhut]

[922F]

This appears to be a case switch; that is a badge placed in a "found" case. AV & R of Havana consistently produced much higher quality insignia. It is unclear when they went out of business/stopped manufacture.

The Austrian Merit badge itself looks to be a typical (1970s-80s?) period piece. The hook and eye cravat fasterners are neither a Cuban nor Austrian type.

[Eric Stahlhut]

aha! the old switcheroo!

well, i guess if anyone is looking for a cuban case...i just might have one for trade towards a comparable item!

p.s. thank you very much, 922F!

[922F]

aha! the old switcheroo!

well, i guess if anyone is looking for a cuban case...i just might have one for trade towards a comparable item!

p.s. thank you very much, 922F!

You are welcome. It's hard to gauge demand for pre-Castro Cuban cases -- a few well-heeled specialist collectors certainly exist. If the case has gilt Cuban arms on the outer lid, you likely have a winner. A,V & R supplied the Cuban Merit or Red Cross Order, the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes and some ministerial Orders in burgandy colored cases. Jeff Jacobs' book documents the firm's name changes.

[Eric Stahlhut]

unfortunately this particular case is devoid of any exterior markings. the only markings are on the inside of the lid plus a few numerals scribbled with a pencil on the underside of the interior piece.

again, thank you for the info; much appreciated!