WW1 Austro-Hungarian Karl Troop Cross Full Size

The WW1 Austro-Hungarian Karl Troop Cross, or Karl-Truppenkreuz, was instituted by Emperor Karl I of Austria on December 13, 1916. It was awarded to troops of the Austro-Hungarian Army who served at the front for a minimum of twelve weeks during the First World War. The decoration is cast in zinc or bronze and exhibits a cross pattée design. The obverse features the inscription “GRATI PRINCEPS ET PATRIA, CAROLVS IMP.ET REX,” translating to “A grateful prince and fatherland, Karl, emperor and king,” encircled by a laurel wreath. The reverse is inscribed with “VITIAM ET SANGVINEM,” meaning “With life and blood,” alongside the years 1916-1918. The cross is suspended by a finely ribbed, white ribbon with red side stripes. The full-size version measures approximately 39mm by 39mm.