German Awards - Officer's Cross

The officer's cross without swords presented here was presented by Prince Frederick on 20 January 1912. He is now considered 5. Officer's cross between 2nd and 3rd grade. Since 1915, the officer's cross could be awarded for military merit even with swords. The Order of Merit for the Principality of Waldeck was originally established as a medal on July 3, 1857 by Prince Georg Friedrich. On January 14, 1871, the Order of Merit was established. On September 26, 1878, the 3rd grade was awarded a silver cross and a silver medal for merit. Since January 14, 1891, the cross is 2nd class. On March 28, 1896, Prince Friedrich renamed it the Cross of Merit and expanded it to 4 classes. The 1st Class Merit Cross now has a princely cap over the cross. The 2nd Class Meritorious Service Cross is now with an oak band ring covering. 3rd grade was formed by the previous 2nd grade and 4th grade by the previous 3rd grade. In 1899, a silver honorary cross was added. The officer's cross without swords was awarded only 41 times between 1912 and 1918. Notable awards were made to persons with the rank of privy government council or equivalent. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

A plaster cross made of gilded silver in the form of a Johannite cross. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled white. Front side with a large enameled middle shield worn. The reverse is smooth, without enamel with a perpendicular pin with a mating hook.

Front side:

• A round central shield is laid on an 8-striped black enameled stral wreath.
• The edges of the rays are polished with gold. It has a round medallion with a gold, boarded-up border.
• The surrounded field is covered with white enamel with a gold burgundy red transverse enameled pyrmont anchor cross.

Downside:

• Smooth without enamel.
In
• the center is a round lining.
• Vertical pin with mating hook

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Front side: Officer's cross

Reverse: Officer's Cross

Established:

January 14, 1871 the establishment of the Order of Merit
December 20, 1912 Officer Cross Foundation

Awarded:

1912 – 1918

Data:

• Material: Silver, enamel
• Size: 48mm
• Weight: 19.7g

estimated collector price:

1700 – 1900 €

OEK Number:

2853