Vatican, Papal State. An Order of Pius IX, Grand Cross Star Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic effective March 29

effective March 29

the interior with a padded satin lid liner bearing a gilt inscription of “NATIONALSOZIALISTISCHES FLIEGERKORPS - DER KORPSFÜHRER”

the lid bearing an embossed and silvered inscription of “FALLSCHIRMSCHÜTZEN-ABZEICHEN”

By May of 1940

Vatican, Papal State. An Order of Pius IX, Grand Cross Star Heer. A Flak/Artillery Hauptmann’s Service Tunic effective March 29(Ordine di Pio IX). Instituted June 17th, 1847. In silver gilt, an eight point star of blue rays, with cluster of five faceted undulating rays in each quadrant, the obverse medallion in Gold presenting PIVS IX in white enamel encircled by the inscription VIRTVTI ET MERITO, the reverse presents a single vertical pin, the medallion bearing ANNO MDCCCXXLVII, measures 70. 9 mm (w) x 68. 9 mm (h), weighs 87. 9 grams, marked 925 on the pin and reverse base,