Awards of Germany - Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross 1. Class/Cross 3 Class

The Knight's Cross of the 1st class (1866-1905) was awarded a total of 431 times until 1875, for the campaigns of 1866-1870/71. Beginning in 1905, the Knight's Cross 1st Class became the new 3rd Class. The new classes were: Grand Cross, 1st Class with Star, 2nd Class with Star (Grand Comtour), 2nd Class (Comtour), Officer Cross, 3rd Class (Knight 1st Class), 4th Class (Knight 2nd Class) with Crown and 4th Class The Military Merit Cross was divided into 1st and 2nd -th class. The cross shown here was made by manufacturer Adam Hausinger of Munich. Between 1866 and 1889, jewellers Hausinger and Welhorst were the sole manufacturers of the Military Order of Merit. After that, there were many companies that supplied orders. The order was subject to a strict duty of return in the event of the death of the bearer or a promotion in rank.
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, 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.
The Knight's Cross 1st Class or 3rd Class was awarded a total of 1,816 times. Of these, 1,354 crosses were returned. There are 462 crosses left. Crosses awarded before 1875 may have been provided with swords since 1891, so that crosses without swords are very rare. Towards the end of World War I, silver gilded crosses were also made. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1997.

Eight-pointed cross made of gold with dark blue translucent enameled cross sleeves. Under it you can see a herringbone-like band. Front and back with a gold middle shield. They are 3 partially made. Between the cross sleeves is a golden flame. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder is an ornamented agraf with an ear and a ribbon ring. In the ring of the tape, the punch manufacturer is AH - for Adam Hausinger.

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.
• It has a curved gold font at the top: - MERENTI - at the bottom of the antennae and points (belt holes
)

Downside:

In
• black enameled middle part of the gold medallion, walking to the left, Bavarian lion
• This is surrounded by a wide white enameled belt hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
In
• the upper region, the golden number: - 1866 - in the lower region of the antennae and points (belt holes
)

Tape:

• white 35 mm, edge white 1 mm, side stripes blue 5 mm.

Photos www.mkoegl.de - Specialized trade of orders, insignia and medals

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Obverse: Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross 1. Class/Cross 3 Class

Reverse: Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross 1. Class/Cross 3 Class

Established:

July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II.
November 24, 1905 Fund of the 3rd class of Prince Regent Luitpold

Awarded:

1905 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold and enamel
• Size: 40.5mm x 48mm
• Weight: 27g

estimated collector price:

1900 - €2,200 late crosses
2500 - 2800 € early crosses

OEK Number:

405, 413