Awards of Germany - Order of Philip the Magnanimous with swords

The Great Cross with Swords is the highest class of the order, which was awarded for outstanding services during the war by military and civilians. In 1881, a crown for insignia was added, and the Great Cross with Swords could also be awarded a crown. The award also included a matching 8-beam sword chest star. The Order of Philip the Magnanimous was established on May 1, 1840 by the Grand Duke Ludwig II. They were divided into four classes. The motto was - SI DEUS NOBISCUM QUIS CONTRA NOS - (God for us who can be against us). The first form of the order until 1849 still depicts the landgrave as a complete figure in a medallion. After that, a chest portrait facing the left was used in the medallion. Over time, some classes were supplemented. In 1849, the Silver Cross as the 5th. class, in 1859 they became knights in the 1st and 2nd. The class is divided and in 1900 became an honorary cross between Comtours 2. Class and Knight 1. Class created. The exact dates of the award are unknown to me. Large crosses with swords were also made of silver with gilding. Gold crosses cost twice as much. Source: Jörg Nemmergut, German Orders and Insignia until 1945 Vol. 1.

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:

• The sash is red 108 mm wide, the side stripes are light blue 4 mm.

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