German Awards - Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 3rd Class Cross

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. The 1st and 2nd classes of the order are made of gold or gilded silver and have white enameled cross arms. 3rd and 4th grades are made of silver, while 3rd grade has gilded and enameled middle signs on the front. In 1901, the 1st class crown was established. It was now possible to award 1st class with and without a crown. In 1911, Prince Gunther von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, since 1909 the sole regent of both principalities, unified the size of honorary crosses. Commemorative numbers of 50 and 60 were added, as well as oak leaves (Eichenbruch) in 1915 with the corresponding embossing of the war years for the updated medal of honor in World War I. Crosses for Rudolstadt depicted double, mirror letters - FG - for Friedrich Gunther, for Sondershausen - GFC - for Gunther Friedrich Karl of the reverse side. In the case of honorary crosses, the principle of higher service applied. First he entered the 3rd grade, later in the 4th grade. Cross of Honor 3. The class was awarded in Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt up to 1909 703 times.

An eight-pointed cross made of silver with polished edges. The inner sides of the cruciform sleeves are fine-grained. Front and back sides with false oval medallion. On the upper cruciform arm between the tops there is a segment with a ball eye and a tape ring.

Front side:

In the
• center is a high oval medallion, richly decorated with gilded 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..

Downside:

In the
• center is a high oval silver medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In
• a closed field, double mirror intricate initials - F - G -
• Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt Prince Friedrich Gunther above the princely crown.

Tape:

• golden yellow 30 mm wide, blue edge stripes 4 mm, blue central stripes 4 mm.

Photos www.mkoegl.de - Specialized trade of orders, insignia and medals
.

Obverse: Princely Black Cross of Honor - 3rd Class Cross

Reverse: Princely Black Cross of Honour - 3rd Class Cross

Established:

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

Awarded:

1857 -1918

Data:

• Material: silver/partially enameled, gilded
• Size: 42mm x 38mm
• Weight: 20, 2g

estimated collector price:

500 – 530 €

OEK Number:

2748