Awards of Germany - Cross "For Military Merit" 3rd class (3rd form 1913)

The Military Merit Cross was established on July 19, 1866. King Ludwig II. It was established together with the Order of Military Merit. The Order of Military Merit was established in 5 classes: the Grand Cross, Komtur, Knights of the 1st and 2nd classes. Military Merit Cross to the Order.
The Military Merit Cross of the Order of Military Merit since 1913 consisted of 3 classes, each with and without a crown. For military merits with swords attached to the agraph of the upper cross sleeve. The 3rd class cross without crown and swords shown here is the lowest "peace class" of the Military Merit Cross. This class was not awarded until the outbreak of World War I. By 1915, only 24 awards had been received. The class is thus perhaps the rarest awarded class of the order in uniform since 1913. The cross depicted represents the second part of the 1920s.
The 1st class was made of gilded silver or copper, the 2nd class was made of silver or silver-plated alpaca or copper, and the 3rd class was made in copper tone. 1st and 2nd classes have enameled middle signs on the front side, 3rd class - without enamel. The order could be awarded to all members of the Bavarian army, as well as members of other armies who earned this rank. The peacetime class without swords could also be awarded to civilians for their services to the army. Notable makers of crosses since 1889 are Hemmerle of Munich, Jacob Leser of Straubing, Deschler & Sohn of Munich, Christian Lauer of Nuremberg and Weiss & Cie. from Munich. The firm of Poellath of Schrobenhausen was a sub-supplier of Hemmerle. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1 1997.

Eight-pointed cross made of copper. Cruciform brackets are covered with grains and finished with polished edges. Front and rear with a round 17 mm central shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder, between the tips, there is an agraf with a regular ear, through which a ribbon ring passes.

Front side:

• Round medallion, laced - L - under Bavarian royal crown
• This is surrounded by a wide belt-shaped hoop at the bottom with a buckle.
• It has a curved font in the upper area: - MERENTI - in the lower area of ​ ​ the antennae and points (holes for the belt
)

Downside:

In
• the middle part of the medallion is a Bavarian lion walking to the left.
• This is surrounded by a wide belt-shaped 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
)

Tape:

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

.

Obverse: 3rd Class Military Merit Cross (1913 3rd Form)

Reverse: 3rd Class Military Merit Cross (3rd Form 1913)

Established:

July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II.
Form of 22 December 1913 by King Ludwig III.

Awarded:

1914 – 1915

Data:

• Material: copper
• Size: 40mm x 50.5mm
• Weight: 20.5g

estimated collector price:

Unspecified

OEK Number:

431