RARE PRE WW1 GERMANY FRANCO PRUSSIAN WAR MEDAL BAR IRON CROSS 25 YEAR OAKLEAF

Offered is an original German Franco-Prussian War era medal group of 4 awards.

Medal bar includes an Iron Cross 2nd Class of 1870, with 25 year oakleaf cluster, being mounted to the rribbon; 1870-71 Franco Prussian War Medal for combattants, with 'captured cannon inscription to rim', the ribbon retaining 4 beatifully gilded campaign clasps - GRAVELOTTE-ST.PRIVATE, BEAUMONT, SEDAN & PARIS; 1866 Commemorative Cross for 1866 for combatants (campaign against Austria) & 1897 Kaiser Wilhelm I centennary medal. Mdals all mounted Prussian style, with red felt backing & pin/catch to rear.

This is a briiliant, original to the period, mounted set of medals, showing the service of a Prussian solder/officer from at least 1866 to 1897, if not longer.

The conflict between France and Prussia that signalled the rise of German military power and imperialism was provoked by the Prussian (later German) Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The French armies were overcome at Sedan by the efficient Prussian forces, battle-hardened from their conflicts with Denmark and Austria. In Paris, a bloodless revolution led to the overthrow of Napoleon III. The city was besieged by the Prussians from 19 September and held out, suffering severe privation, until 28 January. France was forced to cede Alsace and Lorraine to the Germany which had been proclaimed an empire under Wilhelm I on 18 January 1871 in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, sowing the seeds of future 20th Century conflicts.