Awards of Germany - Order of the Württemberg Crown Knight's Cross with Swords

The Knight's Cross with swords has been awarded since 1870 for military merit. Swords are minted on both sides and attached to the tops of the upper cruciform shoulders. Either with small eyes, as in the presented cross, or tightly soldered and motionless. There are differences in the ear at the angle of swords. It can be round or corner. Towards the end of World War I, the decorations were also made of silver with gilding. The Knight's Cross of the Order of the Württemberg Crown was named the 3rd. The order was established on 23 September 1818 by King William I. The motto is "Fearless and Faithful." The classes were Grand Cross, Komtur and Knights. It was accompanied by a gold and silver medal for merit. The Orders of the Golden Eagle (1807) and the Civil Order of Merit (1806) were united by the new order. In 1864, the Knight's Cross was extended with a crown. In 1870, the knights were divided into 1st and 2nd classes. The award of knights of the 2nd class was no longer associated with personal nobility. During the war of 1870/71, swords were donated for all classes. Knights of the 2nd class were awarded only until 1886. With the foundation of the Honorary Knight's Cross in 1886, the 1st class of knights became honorary knights, and the 2nd class again became a one-class knight. The continuation for the knights since 1892 was the lions between the cross sleeves. The knight's cross with lions and swords was awarded very little. The order was subject to return after death or when assigned a higher class. From 1870 to 1918, about 680 knightly crosses with swords were awarded. During World War I, 624 figurines were awarded. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 3, 1999. Klein, Ulrich und Raff, Albert: Die Württemberg Medalle von 1864-1933 (including orders and badges of honor). Stuttgart 2010.

Eight-pointed cross made of gold. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled. Front and rear with a raised round medallion. Small eyes are soldered on tips of upper cruciform levers 2. Two crossed golden ancient swords are suspended in them. In the upper corner of the crossed swords there is an eye, which includes an oblong ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The central shield is golden burgundy with a wide dark red translucent enameled ornament.
Hatching (
• flinging) is visible under the red enamel.
• On it is a golden inscription: - Fearless - and - trew - subsequently a decorative touch.
• The enclosed field is enameled in white. Laid gold, decorated letter - F - under the royal crown.

Downside:

• The central shield is golden burgundy with a wide dark red translucent enameled ornament.
Hatching (
• flinging) is visible under the red enamel.
• On it is a golden inscription: - Fearless - and - trew - subsequently a decorative touch.
• The enclosed field is enameled in white. Laying on the golden royal crown.

Tape:

• dark red 35 mm wide, edging 2 mm, side stripes black 2 mm.

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