Awards of Germany - Order of Military Merit nagOre star of the 2nd class with swords

The 2nd class breast star with swords depicted here was introduced after the reorganization of the Order of Military Merit on November 24, 1905 by Prince Regent Luitpold. 2nd class with a chest star now corresponded to a large comture. 2nd class without the breast star of the previous comture. For military merits over the order cross on the star there were tilts of swords.
The Order of Military Merit was established by King Ludwig II. It was created for brave military exploits, which were not enough to be awarded the Order of Max Joseph, but which, nevertheless, should have been appreciated. Initially, the award consisted of 5 classes: Grand Cross, Comtour, Knight 1st Class, Knight 2nd Class and Cavalier Cross for military merit. On February 26, 1900, an officer's cross was added to the order. He takes a place between the knight of the 1st class and the commander. In 1905, Prince Regent Luitpold reorganized the order. The new classes were now: Grand Cross, 1st Class with Star, 2nd Class with Star, 2nd Class, Officer's Cross, 3rd Class, 4th Class with Crown, and 4th Class. The Military Merit Cross was divided into 1st and 2nd class. In 1913, the Military Merit Cross was re-transformed. The Order of Military Merit 3rd class has been awarded since 1914 with and without a crown. Since 1916, all classes except the 4th began to be made of gilded silver.
Famous manufacturers of order stars were Jacob Leser, as well as Weiss & Co.

Eight-pointed silver star. Between 8 main beams, 4 intermediate beams graduated to the center. Single rays are bordered laterally by thin lines. On the front side is a golden and enameled star of the order. Above it, on the upper cross sleeve, 2 crossed, ancient, golden swords are riveted, which cling to the center. The reverse is smooth silver with a perpendicular pin with a response hook. In the center is a round overlay with the manufacturer's designation. The pin has a silver score of 900 -.

Front side:

• The cross with golden borders is dark blue, translucently enameled.
• Including a herringbone-shaped band. The medallion is laid out in the 3 part.
In
• the black enameled midfield, gold, pretentious - L - under the Bavarian royal crown.
• This is surrounded by a wide white enameled belt hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
• It has a curved gold font at the top: - MERENTI - at the bottom of the antennae and points (belt holes).

Downside:

• The body of the star is smooth and silver. On the rays horizontally and perpendicularly 4 rivets with which the cross is glued. Another sword rivet is visible from above.
• The central round covering plate is surrounded by a pearl edge. Within the sublime Scripture:
• Central, horizontal - YAKOV - READER -. Curved from above along the edge - HOFKUNSTANSTALT -.
• Curved bottom - STRAUBING -, above and below the middle font 2 decorative lines.

Obverse: Military Order of Merit Chest Star 2nd Class with Swords

Reverse: Order of Military Merit chest star to 2nd grade with swords

Established:

July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II.
Swords February 19, 1891, 2nd class 1905

Awarded:

1905 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, gold, enamel
• Size: 76mm, swords 3 x 38mm
• Weight: about 58g

estimated collector price:

3700 – 4000 €

OEK Number:

400