Awards of Germany - Order of Philip the Magnanimous Knight's Cross 1st class with swords

The 1st class knight's cross with swords has been awarded to military personnel since 1849. It was not until 1893 that Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig changed the awarding of swords so that military and civilians could now be rewarded. They had to distinguish themselves with outstanding achievements during the war. When moving to a higher class of the order, further wearing of lower-level sword ornaments was allowed. When assigning the same class, only a cross with swords was worn. Grand Duke Ludwig II established the Order of Philip the Magnanimous on May 1, 1840. First, he passed 4 classes. Grand Cross, 1st and 2nd Class Komtur, Knight. 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. Another expansion was the award of a crown from 1881, and a crown and swords for all classes. 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. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

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 crossed golden swords with Roman parry wands pass through the center. On the upper cruciform shoulder parallel soldered ear. A double ring passes through it.

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
-
• 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 37 mm wide, side stripes light blue 3 mm.