Awards of Germany - Order of Heinrich Leo Knight's Cross 2. Class with swords

The Order of the Duchy of Braunschweig was established on April 25, 1834 by Duke Wilhelm in memory of Heinrich Leo. Initially, the order consisted of 4 classes: the Grand Cross, Komtur 1st and 2nd class, Knight, as well as the Golden and Silver Cross for merit.. Swords were donated to all classes in 1870. By decree of March 8, 1877, the order was expanded to a knight of the 2nd class. In 1903, a silver medal was added to the order for many years of faithful service (since 1908 in silver and bronze). In 1908, the order was expanded. 1st class of the order, between the Grand Cross and Commander 1. Class, officer cross, between commander 2. Class and Knight 1. The class, as well as the 4th class, after Knight 2nd Class and before the Golden Cross of Merit, were newly donated classes. Swords for the cross were awarded in 2 versions. An early version in the war of 1870/71 was awarded swords under the cross. Crosses with swords through the center have been awarded since 1909. In total, about 300 crosses were awarded for military merits.

Eight-pointed, hollow, silver cross with balls on the tops of the cross sleeves. The cruciform arms are bordered with silver and enameled in light blue. Between the cross sleeves respectively silver, crowned, decorated letter - W -. Front and rear with a round central shield. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder is a silver fan ornament, on which stands a lion screaming to the left. A silver crown rests on the lion, the gaps are half-high fed with red enamel. Starting from the balls of the upper cruciform shoulder on the left and right, a green enameled laurel branch (5 leaves each) goes to the crown. On an imperial apple with a crown cross, a spherical eye with a ribbon ring. 2 gilded, crossed swords pass through the center of the front side. They are superimposed on decorative letters between the crosses.

Front side:

• On light blue cross-shaped sleeves on the right and left there are 3 peacock feathers in gold, green, dark blue colors.
• On the upper cruciform shoulder is a silver crown in front of 5 peacock feathers in gold, green, dark blue..
• On the lower cross sleeve is a knight's helmet, the silver feathers of which frame the central shield.
• The round central shield in the background is red with rays. On the edge is a white ornament.
• In the middle in front of a vertical white pillar, a white horse galloping to the left.

Downside:

• Light blue cross hands without painting.
• Round central shield with a wide edge between 2 raised lines.
• The Roman numeral is rewritten on it: - MDCCCXXXIV - 1834 of foundation.
• Below is a 6-beam star.
In
• a closed field, with a red glazed, shaded background,
• 2-line gold font: - IMMOTA -/- FIDES - (Unwavering Fidelity)

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