Portugal, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Grand Officer’s Star, by Da Costa Archive as Second Lieutenant and later

as Second Lieutenant and later as Lieutenant of the Reserve Regiment of Cavalry during the First War

Mounted as worn on gilt chain

The center of the pendant features a single round

They had to undertake a 130 km march back to their own lines

the battalion was absorbed into the 23rd Reserve Battalion

Portugal, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Grand Officer’s Star, by Da Costa Archive as Second Lieutenant and later(Ordem do Mrito Militar). Instituted 1946. In silver gilt, a star featuring clusters of three smooth rays, the obverse medallion in red and white enamels bearing the inscription MERITO MILITAR, the reverse presents a vertical pin assembly, maker marked FREDERICO DA COSTA LISBOA, measures 73. 7 mm (w) x 74 mm (h), weighs 62. 8 grams, small cracks in the white enamel cross, areas of slight gilt loss, remains near extremely fine.