Awards of Germany - Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross 2. That is sick

The Knight's Cross of the 2nd class of the Order of Military Merit was awarded from the moment of its foundation, July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II, until 1905. On November 24, 1905, the Order of Military Merit was expanded and reorganized by Prince Regent Luitpold. The class of knights of the 2nd class fell away and found its correspondence in the 4th class with the crown. The new classes were: Grand Cross, 1st Class with Star, 2nd Class with Star (Grosskomtur), 2nd Class (Komtur), Officer's Cross, 3rd Class (Ritter 1st Class), 4th Class (Ritter 2nd Class) with Crown and 4th Class Between 1866 and 1889, jewellers Haehr usinger and Welhorst were the only 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. Since 1921, heirs, having paid a sum of money, could purchase the signs of the order as a reminder.
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. For Knight's Cross 2. Class before 1875 1608 awards proven.

Golden Cross in Maltese uniform. Cross hands golden borders. The inner sides are enameled with blue translucent enamel. Including herringbone hatching (flinging). Front and back with raised round gold medallion. Between the tops of the upper cruciform sleeve is an ornamented agraf. Above is a small eye with a ribbon ring.

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 medallion golden Bavarian lion
• This is surrounded by a wide white enameled belt hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
• On it in the upper part there is a golden number: - 1866 - in the lower part of the antennae and points (ribbon 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
.