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

Military awards were presented by King Ludwig II. The Order of Military Merit was established on July 19, 1866. The Order of Military Merit was established in 5 classes: the Grand Cross, Komtur, Knights of the 1st and 2nd classes. Military Merit Cross to the Order. The first form consisted of one class from 1866 to 1905. The main feature is blue enameled cruciform arms bordered by silver. Swords were donated for all classes in 1891 and subsequently awarded for the wars of 1866 and 1870/71. In 1900, the Officer Cross was established. The Military Merit Cross of the 2nd form was awarded from 1905 (November 24) to 1913 and now consisted of 2 classes without enameled cross sleeves. These crosses were made of silver with scalloped cruciform sleeves. 1st class with enameled middle shield and 2nd class without enamel. 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.

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 tips, there is an ornament on which crossed swords are attached. On top of the decoration is a lush ear with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

Round medallion, centre enamelled in black with gold cord - L - under Bavarian royal crown
This is surrounded by a wide white enameled belt hoop 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:

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:

Tape 1 combat 35 mm, white edging 1 mm, side stripes black/white 2 mm each, blue 4 mm, central stripes 23 mm white.

Volume 2 Civilian 35 mm, stripes black/white/blue/white/black 7 mm each.