Awards of Germany - Order of Philip the Magnanimous - battle cross with swords

Grand Duke Ludwig II. The Order of Philip the Magnanimous was established on May 1, 1840. 4 classes of the order were: Grand Cross, Komtur 1st and 2nd class, Knight. The Komtursky cross with swords was awarded since 1849. Crosses with different swords are known. The size varies from 1.5 x 44 to 3 x 51 mm. Very early crosses also have a pearl rim around the medallion and extra long swords (3 x 65 mm) Crosses with longer swords are purchases of the manufacturer Zimmermann. Crosses were made gilded in gold or silver. In 1881 he founded the Grand Duke Ludwig IV. Crown for all classes. Komturs of the 1st class were awarded a 4-beam breast star with an assigned cross with a crown. The Komtur Cross of the 1st class was awarded with a chest star. The 2nd Komtur class did not receive a breast star. The first form of the order from 1840 to 1849 depicted Philip as an integral figure. The second form of the order since 1849 depicted the landgrave only in the form of a chest portrait. In 1849, the Silver Cross of the 4th class and swords was established. In 1859, the class of knights was divided into 1st and 2nd classes. Individual classes were also awarded swords through the center. From 1893, the awarding of swords was to be combined with military merit. Nevertheless, extradition of civilians was possible. The last expansion occurred in 1900 with the founding of the Cross of Honor, which takes place between the 2nd class commander and the 1st class knight .

Golden cross with slightly figured cross ends. The cross arms are sheathed in gold and enameled in white. Front and back with superimposed round, gold and enameled central shield. 2 ancient, golden swords are crossed through the center. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a parallel ear. An elongated double ribbon ring passes through them.

Front side:

• Central shield with a wide white enameled ring, golden burgundy inside and out.
• It bears the gold inscription: - SI - DEUS - NOBISCUM - QUIS - CONTRA - NOS
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• If God is with us, who can be against us?
In
• a sealed light blue enameled field, Philip's gold breast image peeking to the left.

Downside:

• Central shield with a wide white enameled ring, golden burgundy inside and out.
• It has a gold inscription: - LUDOVICUS - II - MAGN.- DUX - Hassiae - Institut.-
In
• a closed light blue enameled field, a Hessian lion walking to the left.
• The lion is white enameled with red transverse stripes.

Tape:

red 50 mm wide, side stripes light blue 3 mm.

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