German Awards - Military Merit Cross 1870/71

The cross was presented by Grand Duke Ludwig III. September 12, 1870. The reason was the birthday of the ruler. Servicemen without distinction of rank were awarded, who during the war earned their merits to the enemy thanks to special insight, courage and presence of spirit. Initially, the award was limited to war. However, crosses were awarded later, probably before 1885. The author of the project is Professor Ch. Schnitzspahn The circulation is about 550 pieces. The crosses were made of bronze. The cross was not refundable. Privately acquired secondary parts usually have serrated cruciform arms and a common ribbon-ring ear. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

The cross is made of gilded bronze of the gun. Crosses with raised smooth edges. The inside sides are also smooth and polished. Middle part of cross-piece is formed by oblique connecting edges between cross-pieces. Between the cruciform sleeves at a distance from each other, a thick laurel wreath. Above is a transversely standing round ear with an elongated ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The central decorated letter - L - under the crown.
• On the cross hands rises Scripture: above - GOD -, on the left - HONOR -,
• on the right is the MOTHERLAND, below is the EARTH.

Downside:

• The central decorated letter - L - under the crown.
• On cruciform hands, the font increases: at the top - DEN -, on the left - 12. SEP -,
• on the right - TEMBER -, below - 1870 -.

Tape:

• light blue width 36 mm, edges 2 mm, side stripes red 7 mm.

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