German Awards - Order of Albrecht Bear Grand Cross with Swords

Duke Leopold Friedrich donated swords on 18 July 1864. The reason was probably the German-Danish war, in which, however, troops from Anhalt did not participate. So, in 1864, the Grand Cross with swords was awarded mainly to princes from Prussia and Grand Duke Friedrich Franz Mecklenburg-Schwerinsky. Swords were awarded exclusively for services to the German fatherland before the enemy. The Grand Cross could be awarded with swords or swords to the already existing Grand Cross. Scharfenberg celebrates about 30 sword awards to the Grand Cross. Individual chest stars with swords were not awarded. The only known specimen is the breast star of Emperor William I. Swords are fixed on the ring. Either cling or solder. Swords can be embossed on both sides or on one side with a smooth back. Swords of all classes of the order are always gilded. Silver swords were never awarded. The total number of Grand Crosses awarded with swords and swords to the Grand Cross cannot be accurately determined by World War I. Источник: Gerd Scharfenberg, Die Orden und Ehrenzeichen der Anhaltischen Staaten 1811 - 1935, 1999.

Oval, openwork medal made of gilded bronze with raised edges. The font and edges are polished. A parallel eye is soldered on top. Double-sided relief crossed swords are soldered on the ear. Double band ring passes through eye.

Front side:

• On a wide ring: - FEARS - GOD - AND - FOLLOW - HIS - COMMANDS -
In
• a closed field, a wall with 3 teeth and a gate rises obliquely upward to the right.
• On the teeth of a bear running to the right with a crown and a collar.
• From above in the center, the small state emblem is also the generic emblem of the Ascans.

Downside:

• On a wide ring: - ALBRECHT - DER - BAER - REG. - 1123 - DO - 1170 -
In
• a surrounded field, a wall rising obliquely to the left up with 3 teeth and a gate.
• On the teeth of a bear running to the left with a crown and a collar.
• Above in the center is the coat of arms of the county of Aschersleben (Ascania).

Tape:

• Flap width 103 mm dark green, side strip 17 mm dark red

Photo: Private collection of Maximilian Ferdinand Leopold Prince of Anhalt

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