Awards of Germany - Memorial Cross 1866 Königgrätz

Commemorative crosses for 1866 were donated by King William I on September 20, 1866. This was supposed to be external evidence of recognition of a glorious campaign. Crosses were awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and officials who took part in the campaign or crossed the border with a country at war with Prussia until August 2. The crosses were made in 4 different versions with the same front side and different rear side design. To better distinguish between battles, the Belgians often wore crosses "in violation of the rules" with their backs forward on the order's buckle. The award included a certificate of title signed by the appropriate army or regiment commander. The letters of the generals and regiment commanders were signed by the king himself. The crosses were not refundable, but had to be kept in an appropriate church game after the leper's death. A memorial cross was awarded to military units participating in the battle of Königgraz. Stamps of various crosses are made by F.V. Kullrich and E. Weigand. The number of awards of all battle crosses is about 144,000 pieces. Crosses for non-fighters are not included. Awarded crosses, as a rule, have a stronger, corrugated ear. Later crosses and frames have the usual wire lug.

Bronze cross of captured guns. Front and back with a large circular embossed central shield. Between the cross sleeves is a surrounding laurel wreath. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ear (smooth or grooved) with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• round central laced shield - WR -
• round correspondence - PRUSSIANS - VICTORIOUS - ARMIES -
• upper cruciform arm royal crown
• left + right cruciform sleeve - GOD - WAS - WITH - US - HIM - BE -
• lower cruciate arm - THE - HONOR -

Downside:

• a circular central shield with a seated Prussian eagle on a reclining cannon tube
• upper cruciate arm -KÖNIG-GRÄTZ -
• left cross arm - DEN 3. –
• right cruciate arm - JULY -
• lower cruciform sleeve - 1866 -

Tape:

• Width 32 mm, black edges, side stripes yellow/white 4 mm each, separated by a narrow black stripe, middle stripes black 16 mm.