Awards of Germany - Cross for distinction in the war of 1871

This cross for the difference in the war of 1871 was established by the Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm Mecklenburg-Strelitsky on March 10, 1871. In general, for the difference (merit) in the war of 1870/71, the cross was awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and military officials. At first, it was awarded to combatants only on a light blue combat ribbon with red and yellow edging. Due to dishonorable acts, the cross could again be deprived. Production was handled by Godet & Sohn Berlin. The cross was made with 2 different inscriptions. The inscription "FOR COURAGE" is extremely rare. In 1871, crosses were awarded 14 times. All carriers are known by name. The variant shown here with the inscription "BRAVE AND FAITHFUL" was awarded up to 1872 269 times. To this should be added subsequent non-combatant awards since 1905, which amount to more than 230 more awards. On July 27, 1905, the statutes were changed so that non-combatants could also receive the cross. It was worn on a red ribbon with blue and yellow stripes. The award took place only in 1915 and lasted until 1923. Источник: Peter Ohm-Hieronymussen, Die Mecklenburg-Strelitzer Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 2000.

Silver cross with straight cross ends. At a distance from the edge is a corrugated, raised inner edge. The fields lying inside are slightly arched and smoothly polished. Front and back with a large, embossed, round central shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder is an ordinary ear with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The raised edge of the medallion is formed from a laurel wreath crosswise tied below.
• The enclosed field is finely combed. It has a 3-line enlarged font:
• - BRAVE -/- AND -/- TRUE -.

Downside:

• The raised edge of the medallion is formed from a laurel wreath crosswise tied below.
• The midfield is perfectly combed. Increase the number of entangled letters:
• - F - W is - F is the mirror image. About this big crown.

Tape:

• Ribbon 1 fighter: light blue with a width of 30 mm, side stripes red/yellow 4 mm each.
• Volume 2 Non-combat: red 30 mm wide, side stripes yellow/blue 3 mm each.

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