German Awards - Military Order of Merit Officer's Cross with Flame and Swords
The Order of Military Merit was established by King Ludwig II. It was established on July 19, 1866 for brave soldiers who were not enough to be awarded the Order of Max Joseph, but who, nevertheless, had to be evaluated. The motto of the order was "MERENTI" merit. Initially, the award consisted of 5 classes: Grand Cross, Comtour, Knight 1st Class, Knight 2nd Class and Cavalier Cross for military merit. In 1900, the Officer Cross was established. It was believed that the jump from the knight's cross of the 1st class to the komture was too large to distinguish many valiant deeds. The 1st uniform of the officer's cross did not have a flame between the cross sleeves and was awarded only from 1900 to 1905. Shown here 2. The flame form was assigned from 1905 to 1918. The officer's cross could be awarded without swords and with swords, for military merits. Copies were made of gold and gilded silver. As a manufacturer, the brothers Hemmerle, Munich and Jacob Leser, Straubing are known. Silver crosses carry a silver ounce on the back of the cross or crown. The new design of the crosses coincides with the reorganization of the order by Prince Regent Luitpold in 1905. New classes were: Big Cross, 1. Class with a star, 2. Class with a star (Big Komtur), 2. Class (Komtur), Officer's Cross, 3. Class (Knight 1. Class), 4. Class (Knight 2. Class) with Corona and 4. Class in 1. and 2. Classes. officer crosses were awarded only sparingly and therefore very rare
Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The lower transverse arm is about twice as long and wide. The cruciform shoulders are golden and with translucent blue enamel. Face with raised round middle medallion. Between the cross sleeves is a golden flame. On the upper cross sleeve are riveted 2 crossed, tied gold swords. Above, tightly tied, hollow, open, 5-tuberous, golden crown. Back side with perpendicular pin with mating hook.
Front side:
- Round gold medallion, enamelled in centre 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.
- It has a curved gold font at the top: - MERENTI - at the bottom of the antennae and points (belt holes
)
Downside:
- Smooth and golden with perpendicular needle and reciprocal hook.
- Central stamp - J.- L.- for Jacob Leser, Straubing.
- Sword rivets are visible above the needles.
Obverse: Military Order of Merit Officer's Cross with Flame and Swords
Reverse: Order of Military Merit Officer's Cross with Flame and Swords
Established:
July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II.
February 26, 1900 Officer Cross Foundation
Data:
- Material: gold, enamel
- Size: 76mm x 49mm, swords 3mm x 33mm, crown 19mm x 23mm
- Weight: 24.4g
estimated collector price:
4700 - 4900 € in gold
3000 - 3300 € silver-gilded
Awards of World War II