Awards of Germany - Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Honorary Cross 2. Class with swords

The cross with swords presented here has been awarded since 1866. The decision to award swords was made by the Prussian king William I. Even after the end of the monarchy, these crosses were awarded swords. Swords were made of silver with gilding. The princely house order of Hohenzollern was established jointly by princes Konstantin Hohenzollern Hechingen and Karl Anton Hohenzollern Sigmaringen. The order initially consisted of 5 classes, an honorary cross of the 1st degree. class, 2nd class, 3rd class, as well as a gold medal of honor and a silver medal of merit. Since 1852, the order was reorganized. Various additions were made in subsequent years. In 1866, swords were established for military merit. In 1891, the honorary Komtursky Cross was attached to it, in 1910 - the Golden and Silver Cross for Merit. In 1941, the crown was established. Classification: Cross of Great Honor, Cross of Honor 1st class, Cross of Honor, Cross of Honor 2nd class, Cross of Honor 3rd class, Golden Cross of Merit, Silver Cross of Merit, Gold Medal of Honor, Silver Medal of Merit.
Various extensions or promotions are known to individual classes, such as swords, swords on a ring, diamonds, with a crown and combinations. The honorary cross of the 2nd class with swords was awarded a total of 84 times. Source: Jörg Nemmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, vol. I, 1997.

The cross is made of gold. The cross arms are sheathed in gold and enameled in white. Lying inside at a distance from the edge is a wide, gilded, black enameled strip. Crosspiece ends are rounded outwards. Front and back with round middle shields worn. Between the cross sleeves, around the circumference, is a green enameled and golden burgundy wreath of right oak foliage and left laurel foliage. (Front side) crossed in the center of 2 antique swords with Roman paired poles. They are superimposed on a circular wreath in front. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Golden central shield with a wide blue enameled ring, golden bordered.
• It has a golden inscription: - FOR - LOYALTY - AND - MERIT -.
• Below in the center are tied 2 green laurel branches (3 leaves).
In
• a surrounded, enameled field, a white curved golden coat of arms.
• This is a diagonal of 1/4 black and white enamel. Above it, the princely crown 1/2 was fed red.

Downside:

• Golden central shield with a wide blue enameled ring, golden bordered.
• It has a gold inscription: - DEN - 5 t.- DECEMBER - 1841 -.
• Below in the center are tied 2 green laurel branches (3 leaves).
In
• a closed, enameled field, white rough letters - F C -.
• For Friedrich Wilhelm (Hohenzollern-Gechingen) and Karl (Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen)
• A golden princely crown floated freely above it.

Tape:

• 30 mm wide, white edges 1.5 mm, black side stripes 4 mm, black central stripes 3 mm.

.

Obverse: Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Honorary Cross 2. Class with swords

Reverse: Princely House Order of Hohenzollern Honorary Cross 2. Class with swords

Established:

December 5, 1841 by Prince Konstantin Hohenzollern Hechingen and Prince Karl Anton Hohenzollern Sigmaringen
1866 - Sword Foundation

Awarded:

1866 – 1927

Data:

• Material: gold, enamel
• Size: 37mm x 36.9mm
• Weight: 13.76g

estimated collector price:

3500 – 3700 €

OEK Number:

1034/1