German Awards - Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 4th Class Cross with Oak Fracture
The cross with an oak fracture was awarded for services to the army and readiness for war in World War I 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 Cross of Honor of the Schwarzburg principalities was originally established by Prince Friedrich Gunther von Schwarzburg Rudolstadt on May 20, 1853 as a reward for services to his principality. Only on June 9, 1857, this order was transferred by the two princes of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen with the corresponding statutes to the general order or house order. The order initially consisted of 3 classes, and in 1873 was expanded to the 4th class. This order is also accompanied by gold and silver medals for merit.
The 1st and 2nd classes of the order are made of gold or gilded silver and have white enameled cross arms. 3rd and 4th class are made of silver, and 3rd class has gilded and enameled middle marks. Crosses for Rudolstadt depicted double, mirror letters - FG - for Friedrich Gunther, and for Sondershausen - GFC - for Gunther Friedrich Karl on the back. For merits in the war, he was awarded swords. Other expansions included jubilee numbers 50 and 60, as well as oak leaves (oak fracture) embossed appropriately with war years. The oak fracture was established on January 19, 1915 and was awarded for honorary medals and honorary crosses.
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 (without enamel). On the upper cruciform shoulder between the apices is a segment with a spherical tongue. A silver oak fracture was hung in the eye. On the back of the oak hernia is an elongated ear, in which it sits above the ring of tape.
Front side:
In the - center is a high oval medallion, the edging is richly decorated with ornaments.
In - a surrounded field, a Black Burg lion walking to the left.
- This one with the princely crown on its head. On an oak fracture, 3 leaves are distributed:
- on the left - 14 -, in the center - 19 - and on the right - 15 -.
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.
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Obverse: Princely Black Cross - Grade 4 Cross with Oak Fracture
Reverse: Princely Schwarzburg Cross of Honor - 4th Class Cross with Oak Fracture
Established:
June 9, 1857 (Rudolstadt) together with the princes Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Sondershausen
1873 Foundation 4th class
Data:
- Material: silver, silver gilded
- Size: 47mm x 40mm cross, 24mm x 22mm oak fracture
- Weight: about 24.2g
estimated collector price:
580 – 630 €
Awards of World War II