Order of the Legion of Honour, Fifth Class Knight, France, 3rd Republic.

The Legion of Honour is the highest French order of Merit for military and civil merits,established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The orders motto is "Honour and Fatherland". The Order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction:Chevalier (Knight),Officer(Officer),Commandeur (Commander),Grand Officer(Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).Instituted in 1802,in silver with blue, white, red and green enamels,both centerpieces in gold, hallmarked with a boards head on the tip of the ribbon on the reverse (Arthus Bertrand),chipping and loss evident in the white enamel in multiple locations on the arms of both sides, original case, all near excellent condition, First War issue.