The Komtur Cross with swords shown here is the second highest class of the order, awarded since 1870 for military merits. 1st Class Comtours differ from 2nd Class in the additionally awarded Breast Star. With swords crossed in the middle. Swords on the upper cruciform shoulder are rigidly soldered or, as here, on hinges. The golden rays between the cross arms, as here, can consist of 7 rays each and form a quadrangle in total. Other crosses have only 5 rays that form a circle. Crosses like this one are attributed to manufacturer Steinam. Crosses with a circle of ray for the manufacturer Eduard Faure, both royal court jewelers in Stuttgart. Steinam produced only until 1886. In 1876/77, Fehr began making the Order of Frederick. Since 1888, Fehr has been the main supplier.
On January 1, 1830, King William I established the Order of Frederick. This order consisted of one class. Cavaliers were called knights and wore a large cross with a star and a sling. Initially, it was associated with the award of personal nobility. The order was inscribed on the emblem of the carrier. January 3, 1856 the order became a 4-class. The classes were now: Grand Cross, Komtur 1st and 2nd. Class as well as Knights. Personnel nobility was abolished. In 1870, the knights were divided into 1st and 2nd classes, and crossed swords were added over the cross for military merit. The last class, the Gold Medal of Merit was established in 1892. In 1899, the Grand Cross was supplemented with a crown and the crown became the Grand Cross. The Order of Frederick was awarded as a sign of royal benevolence and as a reward for excellent services in military or civil service for the benefit of the king, the house of Herscher and the state.
The cross with swords was awarded 320 times. 73 awards were presented before the 1 World War. Since 1915, the Royal Württemberg Coin Office of Stuttgart has put crosses gilded with silver. There swords are movably fixed with ears on the upper cross.
A golden cross with the ends of the cross slightly curved inward. The cross arms are sheathed in gold and enameled in white. Front and back with a raised round middle shield. Between the cross sleeves there are 7 graduated gold rays, forming a total of four. On the upper cross shoulder on the left and right is a hinge to which crossed golden swords are movably attached. On swords in the center is a parallel eye through which an elongated ribbon ring passes.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
Photos of www.Militariasammlung.de
Obverse: Order of Friedrich Komtur Cross with swords
Reverse: Order of Friedrich Komturkreuz with swords
Awards of World War II