Awards of Germany - Oldenburg Order of Home and Merit Grosskomturkreuz

The Order of Home and Merit was established on November 27, 1838 by Paul Friedrich Augustus and was supposed to remind of the 25-year return of his father. The order consisted of 4 classes for honorary cavaliers and 4 classes for captains: a large cross, a large comture, a comture and a small cross (from 1860 knightly crosses). Attached to the order is a common badge of honor in 3 classes: gold, silver and iron. The large crosses were divided into gold and silver crown crosses in 1841. In 1856, for merits in the war, this award was expanded with 2 swords passing through the center. With a higher talent in peacetime, they were added to the ring. To the Common Badge of Honor 1. The class was awarded a gold crown. In 1883, the General Badge of Honor was renamed the Cross of Honor. In 1903, the Officers' Cross was established between Komtur and Knight's Cross 1. The class stands. Knight's Crosses 2nd Class were split in 1906. Knight's Crosses 2. Class without crown. The last expansion was the Laurel Fund for sword crosses in 1918.
The meaning of the dates on the cross sleeves: January 17, 1755 - the birthday of Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, July 6, 1785 - entry into the government, May 21, 1829 - the anniversary of the death of the duke, November 27, 1838 - the foundation of the order.
Grosscomtur as the second most senior class was awarded to dignitaries. A chest star was also attached to the cross. Grosscomtur was also awarded swords, swords on the ring and swords with laurel, which were also applied to chest stars. Crosses were made of gold and later silver. A famous manufacturer was Bernhard Knauer from Pforzheim, from 1903 to 1918 the court supplier of the house. The Grand Commander's Cross was awarded 610 times. In the event of death or promotion, orders were subject to return.

The cross is gold with white enameled cross sleeves and gold edges. In the center, a round medallion with a border is worn on both sides. Angular ear above. Thanks to this, a small corrugated ring to which a movable, golden crown is attached. A ring passes through the imperial apple of the crown, subsequently a double elongated ribbon ring.

Front side:

• A central shield with a gold border outside and inside from the ring.
• Red enameled ring with gold inscription:
• - ONE - GOD - ONE - RIGHT - ONE - TRUTH -
• In the included blue enameled field, the letters - P - F - L - are intertwined
• Nickname Peter Friedrich Ludwig, under the silver crown.

Downside:

In
• framed by a gold enameled central shield, the coat of arms of Oldenburg with an ermine mantle and a crown.
• On white enameled cross sleeves - gold dates.
• bottom: - November 27, 1838 -, right: - May 21, 1829 -, top: - January 17, 1755 -, left: - July 6, 1785
-

Tape:

51 mm wide collar with 6 mm wide red side band and 1.5 mm edge