German Awards - 2nd Class Military Merit Cross 1870

The Military Merit Cross during the Franco-Prussian War, in turn, was established by Grand Duke Frederick Franz II. renewed. As with previous crosses, the year on the lower cross sleeve was changed. The cross was now awarded in 2nd grade. 1st class was a plug cross with a smooth back. The 2nd class shown here was worn on tape. For the first time, the cross could be awarded for services not acquired directly to the enemy. To do this, the Grand Duke ruled that crosses should be worn on the red ribbon of the Order of the Vendian Crown. A reduced Military Merit Cross for women, first awarded in 1866, was also awarded for 1870. Military awards 1870 are presented in 2 versions, with 1 option slightly less and the crown slightly narrower.
The founding of the Military Merit Cross in Mecklenburg-Schwerin dates back to 1848. Grand Duke Frederick Franz II. On August 5, 1848, the cross was established for the war with Denmark. In 1859, 1864 and 1866, the crosses were again renewed formlessly and equipped with the corresponding dates of the year. There was no first class then. Private productions for officers are known. Wearing as a cross was probably tolerated. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Gilded cross in bronze. Along the edge of the cruciform shoulders is a raised shaded edge. The insides are finely indented. On top is a soldered eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• On the cross sleeves at the top: - crown -, at the bottom: - 1870 -, in the center - FF -

Downside:

• On the cross sleeves at the top: - For -, in the center: - Reward - in -, below: - Wars -
• (Font is always uppercase and lowercase)

Tape:

• Ribbon 1 fighter: 35 mm wide, side stripes red/yellow 3 mm each, medium stripes light blue 24 mm.
• Tape 2 non-combat: 35 mm wide, side stripes yellow/light blue 4 mm/3 mm, central stripes red 22 mm.

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