Russia, Imperial. A Trench Art Canteen Dedicated to a German Guard by a Russian POW Archive presenting as a Maltese Cross

presenting as a Maltese Cross with obverse central medallion depicting raised monogram of King Ludwig on a black enamel background within a white enamel ring bearing motto of “MERENTI” (“For Merit”)

measuring 87 mm (w) x 107 mm (h)

As the survivors swam away from the burning fuel

with steel faceplate affixed over Army faceplate

He was appointed Adjutant with the Royal Canadian Artillery

Russia, Imperial. A Trench Art Canteen Dedicated to a German Guard by a Russian POW Archive presenting as a Maltese CrossConstructed of aluminum, the obverse bearing a central hand etched heart pierced by a sword and anchor, flanked by dates 1914 1915, and topped by dedications of ZUM ANDENKEN GEFANGENEN LAGER CROSSEN A O (IN MEMORY OF PRISONER OF WAR CAMP CROSSEN AN ODER, now Krosno Odrzaskiem, Poland) and AUGUST GUST, the reverse bearing a hand etched Imperial Russian eagle overlaid by the monograms of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra, surrounded along the edges