German Awards - Cross of Honour (Common Badge of Honour) with Swords

The general badge of honor was established by King Albert in 1876 to reward and recognize commendable acts and merits. This order replaced the silver medals of the Order of Merit and the Order of Albrecht, awarded until then. Holders of these awards could exchange them for a new cross. In the appendix to the constituent act of January 18, 1901, it was established that swords are awarded for differences in war. Porters who previously held the peace award had to have their swords positioned on the ring. On October 18, 1907, a decree was issued stating that the Universal Badge of Honor would be called the Cross of Honor. The awarding of swords in the ring was canceled. After that, the swords were soldered to the crosses. They were formed only unilaterally. At the sword, they have a bilateral shape. Until about 1910, crosses were produced by Scharffenberg in Dresden. They measure 39mm and are made flat. Since 1910, the Dresden company Osang was added as a manufacturer. Their crosses are slightly smaller and thicker. Swords range in length from 40 to 43 mm. There are also differences in embossing in the coat of arms, crown and circular oak wreath on the back. An open crown could be added to boost the award. The Cross of Honor, as well as the Cross of Honor with a crown, could be awarded swords for merits in the war, respectively. Even before World War I, there were 96 General Badge of Honour sword awards. Of these, 55 awards are for battles in China and 29 awards for fighters in German South-West Africa. The rest of the awards went to Marines associated with the colonies. About 2,000 awards took place during World War I, including repeated awards. The exact figure is difficult to establish, since the lists of awards have not been completed.

Gilded bronze relief cross. The crosses at the ends are bent and centrally pointed. Outer edges of cruciform levers with smooth polished edging. The inner sides of the cruciform sleeves are fine-grained. Front and back panels with round center screen (15 mm). 2 crossed swords pass through the center. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Central shield with narrow smooth polished edge.
In
• a closed field, on a flat background, rough letters rise - A R -.
• About this royal crown.

Downside:

• The central shield is bounded by a raised, surrounding oak-broadleaf wreath.
In
• the surrounded field towered, curved, Saxon coat of arms.
• The transverse stripes are smooth or punctured. Diagonally above it is a diamond-shaped crown.
• A 5-arched royal crown hovers above the coat of arms.

Tape:

35 mm wide, alternating 4 green and 3 white stripes of 5 mm.

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