Awards of Germany - Princely Honorary Cross of Schwarzburg - 2nd Class Cross with Oak Fracture

The honorary cross of the 2nd class with an oak fracture was awarded for special services to the army and readiness for war in the 1st World War to persons who did not face the enemy. For military merits to the enemy, swords pressed to the center were granted. The oak fracture sword combination was never awarded. The princely Schwarzburg honorary cross as a home order arose as a result of the unification of separate official awards of both principalities and the associated opportunity to evaluate expensive services and excellent achievements. In Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, the decision was made on May 28, 1857 by Prince Gunther Friedrich Karl II. and in Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt on June 9, 1857 by Prince Friedrich Gunther. The order originally consisted of 3 classes and a medal of honor. Since 1858, foreigners have been awarded the order jointly by both principalities. The Medal of Honor was divided into 2 classes in 1866. 1st grade in gold and 2nd grade in silver. On the occasion of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, swords for honorary crosses and a silver medal "For Merit in the War" were established. The 4th class expansion took place on March 31, 1873 in Sondershausen and March 28, 1873 in Rudolstadt. In 1911, Prince Gunther von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, since 1909 the sole regent of both principalities, unified the size of honorary crosses. The extensions were anniversary numbers 50 and 60. Crosses for Rudolstadt depicted double, mirror letters - FG - for Friedrich Gunther, and for Sondershausen - GFC - for Gunther Friedrich Karl on the back. In the case of honorary crosses, the principle of higher service applied. First admission to 3rd grade, later 4th grade.

Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The cruciform arms are enameled in white and sheathed in gold. Front and back sides with false oval medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder between the apices is a flower-ornamented segment with a parallel ear and a small ring. They hang silver gilded, hollow embossed oak leaves. On the back side there is an elongated jumper in which a tape ring is mounted.

Front side:

In the
• center is a high oval gold medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In a surrounded
• by a dark blue enameled field, a golden Black Burg lion walking to the left with a princely crown on its head.
On 3
• oak leaves are carved with numbers: at the top - 19, on the left - 14 and on the right - 15.

Downside:

In the
• center is a high oval gold medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In
• a closed dark blue enameled field, double mirror, sinuous initials - F - G -
• Prince Friedrich Gunther elevated the princely crown over him.

Tape:

• The collar is golden yellow 57 mm wide, the edge stripes are blue 7 mm, the central stripes are blue 6 mm.

.

Obverse: Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 2nd Class Cross with Oak Fracture

Reverse: Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 2nd Class Cross with Oak Fracture

Established:

Together by the princes Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt on June 9, 1857 and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen on May 28, 1857

Awarded:

1915 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, silver, enamel
• Size: 42mm x 38mm, oak breakage 20 x 22mm
• Weight: about 18g

estimated collector price:

1100 - 1200 € gold 850 - 900 € silver with gilding

OEK Number:

2747