Awards of Germany - Cross "For Military Merit" 1st class (3rd form of 1913)

The Cross of Military Merit 1st Class 3rd Form since 1913 without swords and without a crown is the rarest form of 1st Class since 1913. It was awarded mainly on civilian tape and only until 1915. Since 1913, the Military Merit Cross has consisted of 3 classes, each with and without a crown. For military merits with swords attached to the agraph of the upper cross sleeve. 1st class of gilded silver or copper, 2nd class of silver or silvered alpaca or copper and 3rd class in copper shade. 1st and 2nd classes have enameled middle signs on the front side, 3rd class - without enamel.
The order could be awarded to all members of the Bavarian army, as well as members of other armies who earned this rank. The peacetime class without swords could also be awarded to civilians for their services to the army. During World War I, earnings often consisted only of monetary donations. Notable makers of crosses since 1889 are Hemmerle of Munich, Jacob Leser of Straubing, Deschler & Sohn of Munich, Christian Lauer of Nuremberg and Weiss & Cie. from Munich. The firm of Poellath of Schrobenhausen was a sub-supplier of Hemmerle. In total, 1st class without swords and crown was awarded only 378 times. The manufacturer is Weiss & Co. München. Crosses were made of copper/bronze with gilding and silver with gilding. (Source: Jörg Nemmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945, Volume 1 1997.)

Eight-pointed cross made of gilded copper. Cruciform brackets are covered with grains and finished with polished edges. Front and rear with a round 17 mm central shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder, between the peaks, an agrath passes with an eye through it a ribbon ring. WC - for Weiss & Co. München.

Front side:

• Round gold medallion, center black enameled, with a gold cord - L - under the Bavarian royal crown.
• This is surrounded by a wide white enamelled belt ring at the bottom with a buckle.
• Outside and inside, it's gold. It has a curved gold font at the top:
• - MERENTI - at the bottom of the antennae and point (belt holes ).

Downside:

In
• gilded middle part of the medallion, a Bavarian lion with a crown walking to the left.
• This is surrounded by a wide gold-plated belt hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
• Internally and externally, it is bounded by a raised margin.
• On it in the upper part the number is curved: - 1866 - in the lower part of the antennae and points (tape holes
)

Tape:

35 mm white with 6 mm blue side strips, 2 mm edges.

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