Awards of Germany - Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross

This order was originally established as the military order of Karl Karl Eugene as early as 1759. King Frederick I renewed the order on November 6, 1799, dividing it into 3 classes. In 1806, the order was renamed the Order of Military Merit. The provision on this order stated that the order should always be worn. For non-payment, a fine was imposed.
Since September 23, 1818, this order was awarded exclusively for military merits and had 3 classes: the Grand Cross, Komtur and Knight. The award was associated with the elevation to the nobility and honorary gold was paid. From 1806 to 1918, 5 versions came to the award. The differences were in the initials on the medallion on the reverse side. From 1806 to 1816, the letters - F R -, from 1818 to 1864 the letter - W -, the 1870 edition had one - K R -, and from 1892 to 1914 the letters - W R - respectively above the letter one crown. The 1914 to 1918 version also had the letters - W R - however without the crown.
Thus, the depicted work should have been from 1892 to 1914.
About 2,200 knightly crosses were awarded during World War I.

Gold or silver gilded cross with white enameled cross sleeves. These are vaulted at the ends. Front and back sides with superimposed round, gold and enameled medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a transversely standing ear with an elongated ring of tape.

Front side:

• The round medallion is surrounded by a wide blue enameled ring. That gold was changing.
• On it is a golden letter: - Fearless - and - tru -.
In a white
• field surrounded by a laurel wreath tied from below in gold with green enamel in the leaves.

Downside:

• The round medallion is surrounded by a wide blue enameled ring. That gold was changing.
• On it is a golden letter: - Fearless - and - tru -.
In a
• white field surrounded by golden Gothic letters - W R - under the crown.

Tape:

• yellow 35 mm wide, 1 mm rim, 5 mm black side stripes.

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Obverse: Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross

Reverse: Order of Military Merit Knight's Cross

Established:

February 11, 1759 - the military order of Karl Eugene.
1806 Change to the Order of Military Merit

Awarded:

1806 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, silver gilded/enamel
• Size: 39.8mm x 36.5mm
• Weight: approx. 15.6g

estimated collector price:

890 - 910 € silver gilded
2900 - 3100 € in gold

OEK Number:

2967