![Austria, Order of the Iron Crown, order decoration 1st class, Vienna, around 1840 [detail]. Image © AH Andreas Thies](https://images.prismic.io/barnebys/fa3faf3f-dbb4-4a67-a69b-486ba4f6ef88_038bd9ab-978f-4153-9711-fcfd5187a825_ThiesTitel.png.jpeg?auto=format,compress)
Recently we presented some highlights from the 70th auction of Andreas Thies, a German auction house which specialises in militaria. Here, we will pick up where we left off, and introduce other noteworthy lots that will go under the hammer on 10 April.
This Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, a Viennese work of jewellery from around 1840, is a splendid decoration of the 1st class.
One of the most famous orders in the world is the British Order of the Garter. Founded as a court order by King Edward III in 1348, he allegedly named it after his mistress’ garter belt, which slipped off her leg during a ball. Edward supposedly commented "honi soit qui mal y pense" ("shame on him who thinks this evil"), which is still the motto of the order today.
The Portuguese Order of Christ, which was founded as an order of knights in 1319, is even older than the Order of the Garter. This medal with cut crystals from the late 18th century is a particularly beautiful version of their decoration.
The Order of Glory was established on 8 November 1943 in the then Soviet Union as an award for soldiers up to the rank of non-commissioned officer. The medal was only awarded approximately 3,000 times in 1st class, and the present copy is distinguished by a very low award number.
This piece is a personal copy of Philippe Pétain's Militiare medal. In the course of his military career, Pétain made it to the position of Marshal of France and Commander-in-Chief of the French Armed Forces and was chief of the Vichy regime during the Second World War.
Another exquisite object from France is this saber, which would have been carried by a general or high officer around 1800. The double-fulled and half-blued blade with a figurative handle is accompanied by a fire-gilded scabbard.
This Chinese saber with a scabbard made of dark precious wood was probably an imperial gift. The engraved dedication reveals that the recipient was Prince Tommaso of Savoy, a member of the Italian royal family. The prince was in command of the corvette Vittor Pisani from 1879 to 1881, and the group travelled to South America and Asia.
There are many fine examples of firearms in the auction, such as this 1895 model repeating rifle from Winchester that was delivered to Russia.
This carbine Model M 73 was made in Saxony from a French Chassepot rifle, and the original manufacturer is unknown.
The gun manufacturer Walther brought a sports pistol for competitions onto the market in 1932. The model was used in the Olympic games and further developed and refined, eventually winning five Gold Medals at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.
The Carl Walther company brought the first pocket pistol to the market in 1908. It was a success, and Model 1 was replaced by Model 2 the following year.
This semi-automatic pistol, Model P. 08, comes from the company Simson & Co. The Suhl-based company equipped both the Reichswehr and the police with this pistol during the Weimar Republic.
The auction will take place on 10 April at the auction house Andreas Thies in Kirchheim unter Teck. Since in-person participation is limited, written, telephone and online bids are very welcome.
