Thailand, Kingdom. A Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, I. Class Star, c. 1945 Auction Archive joined together at the bottom

joined together at the bottom by a stamped date of “1914”

typical Klein & Quenzer cross

The thick leather washer at the crossguard junction is dyed black

a highly decorated veteran of the Afrika Korps and Hermann Göring Division who received the Knight’s Cross for meritorious actions at the Second Battle of El Alamein

armband is constructed of red cotton

Thailand, Kingdom. A Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, I. Class Star, c. 1945 Auction Archive joined together at the bottom(Khrueang Ratcha itsariyaphon An Pen Thi Choetchu Ying Chang Phueak). Instituted in late 1861. (c. 1945 issue). Constructed of silver, featuring a starburst pattern with a central leftward facing white enameled elephant, surrounded by a faceted ring, and a ring of alternating red and green petals, the reverse plain, with a tall barrel hinge, broad vertical pinback, and rightward opening catch (bent out of shape; not allowing the pinback to open),