Awards of Germany - Order of the Württemberg Crown Cross of the Knights of Honor with swords
The Order of the Württemberg Crown was established by King William I on September 23, 1818. To this end, the Order of the Golden Eagle (1807) and the Civil Order of Merit (1806) were replaced by a new order. Initially, the order had 3 classes: a large cross, a komtur and a knight. It was accompanied by a gold and silver medal for merit. Bearers were required to wear the order in their own name and coat of arms. Bourgeois carriers were elevated to personal nobility. Only the king himself could determine the inclusion in the order. In 1864, the Knight's Cross was extended with a crown. Another change was a special large cross for the ruling rulers with a special ribbon. During the war of 1870/71, swords were donated for all classes. Knights were divided into 1st and 2nd grades. Knights of the 2nd class were awarded only until 1886. The continuation for the knights of the 1st class was the lions between the cross sleeves. In 1886, for special merits, he was also awarded the Honorary Knight's Cross with a crown. Since 1892, the Honorary Knight's Cross has been a nodal cross. It was awarded with and without swords through the center. The first crosses were made of gold. Since 1916, crosses began to be made of silver with gilding. In the last year of the war, the crosses were made in one piece of gilded white metal. The paired rods on these crosses do not touch the crosses. Notable manufacturers were Eduard Foehr, Stuttgart (manufacturer's marking on the back of the upper cruciform shoulder), the Royal Mint of Stuttgart, and Carl Zinser, Stuttgart, who produced a small series of 40 hollow sword pieces. The depicted copy is attributed to Karl Zinser. The knight's cross with swords was awarded 160 times.
The order was subject to return either upon promotion to a higher class or upon the death of the bearer. Source: J. Nemmergut: German Orders and Insignia before 1945, vol. III, 1999.
An eight-pointed male cross made of gold or gilded silver. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled. Front side with raised round central shield. 2 crossed, gold, antique swords pass through the center. The back is smooth and golden. Vertically - a pin with a reciprocal hook.
Front side:
- The central shield is gold with a wide dark red enameled font.
- On it is a golden inscription: - FEARLESS - AND - TREW -.
- The enclosed field is enameled in white. Laying a large gold crown.
Downside:
- Smooth and golden with a vertical pin.
- Needle jack and counterhook are fixed on a small jumper.
- The pin below is rounded.
Obverse: Order of the Württemberg Crown Cross of the Knights of Honor with swords
Reverse: Order of the Württemberg Crown Cross of the Knights of Honor with swords
Established:
September 23, 1818 by King William I.
1886 - Knights of Honour Cross
Data:
- Material: gold, enamel
- Size: 55mm, swords 57mm x 3mm
- Weight: 19.2g
estimated collector price:
2500 - 2700 € in gold
1700 - 1900 € gilded
Awards of World War II