Awards of Germany - Royal Crown Order of the Breast Star 1st class with swords on the ring 1867-1918

The chest star of the 1st class depicted here with swords on the ring was granted along with the order cross of the 1st class. The class with swords on the ring was received by carriers if they were awarded a higher class of the order and already holders of the lower class occupied it as military decoration with swords. This means that before the assignment of the 1st class (world class), the excellent student already had the 2nd class with swords for military merits (through the center). This, in turn, means that those awarded in the world war no longer received their merits to the enemy, otherwise the 1st class would have been awarded swords through the center. Differentiation of thoracic stars from gold or silver crosses gilded at the end of World War I is not possible as the materials have not been altered. Awards were made mainly by generals or admirals. Nemmergut points to 1908 for another 36 carriers of this class. The Royal Order of the Crown was established by King William I on 18 October 1861. Initially, the order consisted of 4 classes. Crosses from the first to the third grade had white enameled cruciform arms, the fourth grade was without enameled cruciform arms. While the 1st class was always awarded a breast star, the 2nd class was awarded with or without a star. During the award, the crown in the middle medallion had various forms that give an idea of ​ ​ the award period. According to the latest data, you can now assign 4 models and production periods. The first award period from 1861 to the end of 1862 showed a crown that was very high and a bit like the Austrian crown, the so-called bishop's cap. The second rental period or the 2nd model of 1863-1868 had a round, small crown. In 1869, the small crown was replaced by a large crown. The 3rd form with gold medallions was awarded from 1869 to 1916. From 1917 to 1918, crosses and medallions were made of silver with gilding and can be as 4th. The model is classified. A well-known manufacturer is Wagner & Sohn from Berlin. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Eight-pointed silver star. There are 5 graduated intermediate beams between 8 main beams. The individual rays on the left and right are bordered by narrow lines. In the center of the front side is a large gold (silver gilded), partially enameled central shield. On top of the case are crossed and riveted 2 gold (silver gilded) swords with Roman paired poles. The back is smooth and silvery. In the center is a large round lining. Vertically gilded hook pin.

Front side:

• Gold medallion with double outer border. Outside is a pearl, inside is smooth and beveled.
• Subsequently, a wide blue enameled book ribbon, bordered inside with a smooth border.
• On the scroll is a golden letter in a break: - GOD - WITH US - (Slogan of the Order
)
• At the bottom, 2 stylized branches end in the center with a 6-domed rosette.
• The enclosed field is golden and fine-grained. A large royal crown rises on it.

Downside:

• The back is smooth and silvery. The lining is corrugated on the outside.
• The pin is expanded above and angled below.
• Under the counter hook, the manufacturer's designation is W - for Wagner & Sohn, Berlin.

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