Awards of Germany - Cross "For Military Merit" 1st class (2nd form of 1905)

On November 24, 1905, Prince Regent Luitpold reorganized and expanded the Order of Military Merit and statutes. The new classes of the order were: Grand Cross, 1st Class with Breast Star, Grand Komtur (2nd Class) with Breast Star, Komtur (2nd Class) without Breast Star, Officer's Cross, Knight's Cross 1st Class became 3rd Class, Knight's Cross 2nd Class became 4th Class with and without Crown and as 5 m. Cross "For Military Merit," now divided into 1st and 2nd grades. The Military Merit Cross of the 2nd form was awarded from 1905 to 1913 and now consisted of 2 classes without enameled cross-shaped emblems. These crosses were made of silver with scalloped cruciform sleeves. 1st class with gold enameled middle shield and 2nd class without enamel. The 2nd class, awarded since 1913, is similar to the 1st class of 1905. However, the latter has silver enameled medallions. For military merit, all classes could still be awarded swords. Crosses of the 2nd form with swords were awarded mainly for disputes in German Southeast Africa. The most famous manufacturer was Hemmerle from Munich. The 2nd form of the Military Merit Cross is very rare.

Eight-pointed cross made of silver. The cruciform shoulders are serrated and bordered by polished edges. Front and rear with round, raised and 3-part central shield. The medallion of the front side is gold and enameled. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder there is a commensurately embossed agraf with a transverse ear, through which a ribbon ring passes. The manufacturer's designation is on the back of the agraph. The belt ring is provided with a silver punch 900.

Front side:

• Round gold medallion, central with gold laced - L - under the Bavarian royal crown on a black enameled background.
• 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
• middle part of a silver medallion, a Bavarian lion walking to the left.
• This is surrounded by a wide silver belt hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
• On it in the upper part the number is curved: - 1866 - in the lower part of the antennae and points (tape holes
)
• Together with Agraffe - G.H. for the Hemmerle brothers, Munich.

Tape:

.

Obverse: 1st Class Military Merit Cross (1905 2nd Uniform)

Reverse: 1st Class Military Merit Cross (1905 2nd Uniform)

Established:

July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II.
November 24, 1905 2. Form of Prince Regent Luitpold

Awarded:

1905 – 1913

Data:

• Material: silver, gold, enamel
• Size: 45mm x 51.5mm
• Weight: 21.3g

estimated collector price:

1000 – 1100 €

OEK Number:

419