German Awards - Military Merit Cross 3. That is sick

The Cross "For Military Merit" of the 3rd class was established on September 26, 1878 by Prince George Victor. Awarded for merit. The Cross "For Military Merit" was established on May 3, 1861 by Prince Georg Victor in 2 classes. 1st class (54 mm in size) had an oak leaf leaf with a ribbon ring on the upper cruciform shoulder. 2nd class (39 mm in size) had a regular eye with a ribbon ring. As a service distinction for 25 years, it was awarded on a black ribbon with yellow and red side stripes. According to the military convention with Prussia on July 18, 1867, the cross was no longer awarded as a service distinction. Subsequently, he was awarded the Prussian award. The Military Merit Cross was originally established on January 14, 1854 by Prince Georg Victor as a service award. However, further use is already envisaged. It was enamelled on one side and had the Roman numeral 25 - XXV - on the back. For non-Waldeck officers, the rear medallion was finely indented without a number. The Military Merit Cross is very rare in all classes. 1st class was awarded only 127 times, 2nd class 131 times, and 3rd class only 111 times. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Eight-pointed cross made of silver. Cruciform sleeves, with raised smooth edges, finely granular inside. A round gilded medallion is placed at the front and back. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder, the usual eye with a ribbon ring is soldered.

Front side:

• Gilded medallion with raised, double, smooth border.
• The captured field is deposited with red glass enamel.
A circular
• hatch is visible behind.
• It has golden old letters - G - V - for Georg Victor.
• Above the letter is a golden princely hat.

Downside:

• Gilded medallion with raised, double, smooth border.
• The enclosed field is finely combed. This increases the 2-line font:
• - FOR -/- MERIT -.

Tape:

• White 32 mm wide, edging 1 mm, side stripes black/red/yellow 2 mm each.