WW1 Austro-Hungarian - SILVER CIGARETTE CASE - PRESENTATION PIECE - M.K. 12 LLO

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WW1 Austro-Hungarian - SILVER CIGARETTE CASE - PRESENTATION PIECE - M.K. 12 LLO:
$1499.99

You are offerding on an AMAZING and 100% ORIGINAL WW1 Austro-HungarianPresentation Cigarette Case.Gifted to an officer of M.K. 12 L.L.O. (Maschinengewehr-Kompanie 12, Linzer Landsturm-Oberkommando), this was most likely a Christmas presentation piece in 1916.

During the First World War, Austro-Hungarian artillery regiments frequently commissioned silver presentation pieces - such as cigarette cases, lighters, and card cases - as commemorative gifts for departing officers, promotions, or significant wartime milestones. These items were typically engraved with the signatures of fellow officers and reflect the strong social tradition of the K.u.K. officer corps, particularly within elite artillery units.

M.K. 12 L.L.O. served on the Eastern and later Italian sectors, and presentation pieces from machine-gun companies are especially desirable due to their smaller size, higher casualty turnover, and the close-knit structure of K.u.K. MG units. Silver presentation cases of this type were generally produced by civilian craftsmen to regimental specification and engraved in the elegant cursive style common to early 20th-century Central Europe.

Made ofSilver,this art deco stylePresentation Cigarette Case is am AMAZING piece of history! It remains in VERY NICE used condition, with variousscratches, marks, and patina, due to the age. The interior is properly stamped with the full Austro-Hungarian hallmark sequence, including the Diana-head silver hallmark (guaranteeing .800 silver purity), the “3” fineness/assay group punch, and the maker’s mark “FB,” attributed to Viennese silversmith Franz Breslauer, a documented craftsman active before and during the First World War. These markings are deeply struck, fully original, and completely consistent with wartime K.u.K. officer presentation pieces. All hallmarks remain clear and unaltered, with no evidence of postwar re-striking, grinding, or modern additions.

The front is engraved with, "M.K. 12 L.L.O. 1916 ", on upper left corner. BOTH the front and reversefeatures multiple deeply cut, completely original officer signatures, all sharply engraved and fully legible. Identified NCO and Officer namesinclude:

Zombory Fhdgy
Faross Kdt.
Avanicz E.
Galazly
Huppy Fhdgy
D̋ Cziklovy
Schmidt Kdt.
Barhó István, Főhadnagy
Luvolojus (?) Főh.
Norroth Hdgy
Osecsi Hugyezy
Szilágyi, Főhadnagy
Fugau Oblt.
Lehmann Vbey
Amvieder Péter Hdgy (?)
Slolossoszlós (?)
Niedermayer Fhdgy
Serély
Franz Lechner Lt.
Romis Wujosfy (?)
Rissflos
Nighptury (?)
Nraugány

These signatures are fully consistent with period Austrian cursive engraving and with known K.u.K. rank abbreviations such as Oblt. (Oberleutnant), Lt. (Leutnant), and Fhr. (Fähnrich). The hinge remains fully functional, opening and closing securely with proper alignment. The interior shows normal age toning but no cracks, no splits, no repairs, and no postwar engraving. All wear patterns match untouched wartime aging, and the silverwork exhibits the correct weight, feel, and engraving depth expected from original Austro-Hungarian officer pieces. A RARE and highly desirable WW1 signed presentation cigarette case from M.K.12 L.L.O., featuring multiple verifiable officer signatures, it would make a PERFECT addition to any Imperial Austro-Hungarian, WW1 artillery, or presentation-piece collection!