Original Austro-Hungarian & German Empire WWI 11th Army Patriotic Cap Badge
An original Austro-Hungarian Empire First World War patriotic cap badge commemorating the 11th Army and the alliance between Austria-Hungary and Imperial Germany during the Great War.
The obverse features conjoined portraits of Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria-Hungary and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany beneath the inscription “Mit Vereinter Kraft” (“With Joint Forces”), symbolizing the united military effort of the Central Powers. The lower portion is marked “11. Armee,” referring to the Austro-Hungarian 11th Army, which served prominently on the Italian Front and participated in the 1916 Trentino Offensive against Italian forces.
The reverse is maker marked “Bildhauer Gurschner Wien VII/2,” identifying production by the noted Viennese sculptor and medal designer Gustav Gurschner. The badge retains its original vertical pinback assembly and exhibits attractive period age patina throughout.
Constructed in stamped metal with fine raised detail to the portraits and lettering, this example remains in very good condition with light surface wear and oxidation consistent with age. A desirable and historically interesting Austro-Hungarian patriotic badge relating to the alliance of the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires during WWI.
