German Awards - Military Merit Cross for Officers 1. Class 1861

The Military Merit Cross was originally established by Prince George Victor in 1854 as a reward for service. 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 without a number. This award ceased to be awarded with the conclusion of a military convention with Prussia. On May 3, 1861, Prince Victor established a new form of the Cross of Military Merit. It now consisted of 2 classes. Enlargement with the 3rd class took place on September 26, 1878. 1 and 2. The class is enameled. 1st grade in gold with oak leaf. 2nd class of silver gilded without oak leaf. 3rd class - a silver cross with a reversible, gilded medallion. This with the inscription - FOR MERIT -. The cross was awarded for military services to officers. Awarding for 25 years of service took place on the ribbon of service distinction. 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 golden cross. Cruciform arms are covered with gold. The inner sides are enameled. Front and back with a gold medallion worn. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder there is a parallel small eye, into which a hollow embossed oak sheet is mounted.

Front side:

• A medallion with a 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:

• A medallion with a raised, double, smooth border.
• The surrounded field is golden and finely cut without an inscription.

Tape:

• Collar white 52 mm wide, rim 2 mm, side stripes black/red/yellow 3 mm each.

.