Awards Germany - Order of Heinrich Leo Officer's Cross with Swords

An officer's cross with swords was rarely awarded. All awards were for World War I. Crossed swords were to be silver. With the new regulation of swords in 1909, the swords of the Grand Cross, Commander and Knight 1st Class were to be in silver. All other classes must have golden swords. This probably also applied to the officer's cross. The subsequent addition of swords to improve decoration cannot be ruled out with few awards.
Duke William established the Order of Henry the Lion on 25 April 1834. The order was repeatedly expanded. The officer's cross was presented in 1908, on the birthday of Duke William (April 25, 1806). He ranks between Commander 2nd Class and Knight 1st Class. At the same time, the 1st class was created, between the Big Cross and the commander of the 1st class. In addition, the 4th class was established, between the knight of the 2nd class and the cross for the merits of the 1st class. All newly established classes could also be awarded swords donated in 1870. The badge of honor, established in 1903, was awarded in two classes - silver and bronze. Upon promotion, the lower class could continue to carry swords. Since 1908, the order included: Grand Cross, 1st Class, 1st Class Commander, 2nd Class Commander, Officer Cross, 1st Class Knight, 2nd Class Knight, 4th Class Cross, 1st Class Merit Cross, 2nd Class Merit Cross, 1st and 2nd Class Badges of Honor and the Badge of Merit in the field of art and Science class 2
The officer's cross was awarded 228 times. Well-known manufacturers are F.Siebrecht and Herm. Jurgens, both from Braunschweig.

Eight-pointed plug cross made of gilded silver. The cross sleeves of the front side are golden burgundy and light blue enameled. In the center is a raised round gold and enameled medallion. 2 crossed golden swords pass through the center. The reverse is smooth and gilded. In the center is a stacked round medallion with the manufacturer's designation. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.

Front side:

• Round central shield with raised gold border. Above, a golden ducal crown.
• The middle part is enameled. The background is a red ray wreath.
In the
• center in front of the white column is a leaping white horse (welfenross) with its tail raised.

Downside:

• Smooth and gilded. In the center is a round medallion.
• Within 2 raised lines at the edge manufacturer's designation:
• Curved at the top along the edge - HERM.- JÜRGENS -, curved at the bottom along the edge - BRAUNSCHWEIG -.
• Separated by 2 five-pointed stars. In the center of 2 lines:
• - YARD -/- JEWELER -. Including a 7-point outlet.

Obverse: Order of Henry the Lion Officer's Cross with Swords

Reverse: Order of Henry the Lion Officer's Cross with Swords

Established:

April 25, 1834 by Duke William
1908 Foundation of the Officer's Cross

Awarded:

1910 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Silver, enamel
• Size: 56mm, swords 2.5mm x 58mm
• Weight: approx. 31.5g

estimated collector price:

3300 – 3500 €

OEK Number:

589