Awards of Germany - Silver Medal of the Order of Merit for the Army named after Karl Friedrich (7th version)

The Military Order of Merit of Karl Friedrich was established by Elector Karl Friedrich on April 4, 1807. Initially, the order consisted of 3 classes: a large cross, a komtur and a knight. Already in 1807, the order was expanded with the medal of military merit of Karl Friedrich. It was intended for non-commissioned officers and soldiers and was awarded gold and silver in the 2nd degree. The award of medals was associated with honorary gold, which was paid for life. For a gold medal, merit was paid from 1866 100 guilders, and for a silver medal - 50 guilders. After the death of the carrier, the award had to be returned. Before the foundation of the military service award in 1831, the order was also awarded for 25 or 40 years of service. Medals on the back always bear the name of the awarded. Medals 1848/49 worn, as an exception instead of the name, the place of battle on the back. The medal differs in a total of 8 variants, which differ in the pattern, engraving of the name or fastening of the ribbon bracket. Until about 1870, engraving of names was carried out in writing, then in large block letters. The front side stamps date from 1810 by Carl Wilhelm Doell, a mint master in Karlsruhe. The first medals have the factory designation H.B. for Heinrich Bolzhauser (1st variant 1807-1810). The reverse sides of the medals were made since 1848 (4th version) in collaboration with Ludwig Kahel, a medalist in Karlsruhe. The dorsal laurel wreath is significantly denser and closer to the edge. Shown here is 7. The variant was awarded from 1870 to 1871. It has no manufacturer's signature and the letters of the name are cross-hatched. The word -FUR- in this variant is written as -FUR-. In 1870-1871, about 570 silver medals were awarded. The gold medal was awarded 14 times. Gold medals were awarded only until 1870/71. There are no gold medals from the 4th version with the battlefield on the back. No gold medals were awarded during World War I.

Round silver medal with raised border. On top is a wide, soldered ironing eye for pulling the tape.

Front side:

• Top curved font: - FUR - BADENS - HONOR - (Decision of the order).
In the
• center on a pedestal walking to the right, a Baden griffin.
In his
• right hand he holds a vertical sword, in his left - a permanent Baden coat of arms.
• The left leg of the griffin rests on a cannon tube that protrudes onto the shield from the bottom left.
• Cannonballs are folded to the right of the gun barrel in the corner to shield 3.
• The head is turned back by the crown. On the left is a large spread wing.
• Coat of arms with a diagonal, perpendicularly shaded beam and a dotted base.

Downside:

• At a short distance from the edge is a laurel wreath tied in a loop from below.
• In the nested field, 3-line font: less - DEM -/- TAPFERN - (without hatching).
• Among them is a large shaded leper surname.

Tape:

Width 35 mm, edges white, side stripes yellow 10 mm, central stripes red 12 mm.