Awards of Germany - Order of Zäringer Löwen Knight's Cross 2. Class with oak leaves and swords

The knight's cross of the 2nd class with oak leaves and swords was awarded mainly in the 1st World War. Oak foliage was considered a particularly honorable feature for the classes of the order.
The foundation was indicated by Grand Duke Karl Friedrich on December 26, 1812, in the name day of his wife Stephanie. The statutes of the order were issued only on June 17, 1840 by the Grand Duke Ludwig. The primary 3 classes, Grand Cross, Commander and Knight, were supplemented by a 2nd class commander. 1st class commanders additionally received a 4-beam breast star. From 1877 to 1896, the Knights of the Order of Berthold I were led as the upper class. In 1889, the Merit Cross was added. In 1815, golden oak foliage with a letter was donated. Golden swords for military merit for all classes were donated in 1866. The gold chain of the order has been awarded since 1868 and has been introduced by statute since 1889. In 1866, the knights became in the 1st and 2nd Class divided and the Order of Bertold I now existed independently. The crosses of the upper steps are made of gold. The knight's cross of the 2nd class is made of silver.
The Knight's Cross 2nd Class with oak leaves and swords was awarded a total of 1,539 times.

Silver cross with outward-flaring cruciform sleeves. The crosses in front are filled with green semicircular embossed glass enamel. At the ends, the filling is beveled. The gaps of the cross sleeves are filled with silver decorations (braces). 2 crossed gilded swords riveted with staples pass through the center of the front side. The back of the cross sleeves is smooth and made of silver. A gilded medallion is placed at the front and back. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary ear. They hang golden oak foliage with 3 leaves.

Front side:

• Round medallion with gold raised border. It's obliquely shaded.
In
• a closed field, a round tower enamels the ruins of the Zähringen family castle.
• The tower is made in red upper and side green foliage. Below is a green bottom with 3 stones.
• Background (sky) in very bright blue.

Downside:

• Round medallion with gold raised border. It's obliquely shaded.
In
• a surrounded field on a red background is a golden, erect lion screaming to the right.

Tape:

Obverse: Order of the Zähringen Lion Knight's Cross 2. Class with oak leaves and swords

Reverse: Order of the Tseringen Lion Knight's Cross 2. Class with oak leaves and swords

Established:

December 26, 1812 Grand Duke Karl Friedrich
June 17, 1840 Grand Duke Leopold
1866 Knight's Cross 2. That is sick

Awarded:

1866 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, partially enamelled and gilded
• Size: 39mm, swords 48.5mm, oak foliage 23mm
• Weight: about 24g

estimated collector price:

740 – 760 €

OEK Number:

159