German Awards - Silver Cross with Swords

The silver cross of honor with swords, the Order of Merit of the Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont, was awarded only in the 1st World War. The Honorary Cross, established in 1896 with the reorganization and renaming of the Order of Merit into the Cross of Merit, takes place between the 4th grade and the Gold Medal of Merit. With the outbreak of World War I, 1915 swords were presented for all classes for services to the enemy. The Waldeck military officers, that is, non-commissioned officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in the war with valor, were awarded an honorary cross with swords. As a rule, they have already been awarded the Iron Cross. This provision was established on 23 February 1918 as a general requirement for Waldeck military or sword ornaments. The silver cross of honor with swords was awarded a total of 154 times.
On January 14, 1871, Prince George Victor established the Order of Merit. 1st class was a gold cross with oak foliage as a covering for a ribbon ring. Second grade is a medal. On September 26, 1878, the 3rd grade was awarded a silver cross and a silver medal for merit. Since January 14, 1891, the cross is 2nd class. On March 28, 1896, Prince Friedrich renamed it the Cross of Merit and expanded it to 4 classes. The 1st Class Merit Cross now has a princely cap over the cross. The 2nd Class Meritorious Service Cross is now with an oak band ring covering. 3rd grade was formed by the previous 2nd grade and 4th grade by the previous 3rd grade. In addition, the Silver Cross of Honor and the Gold Medal of Merit were established. On January 20, 1912, the classes were expanded with a merit cross as a plug cross. The so-called officer's cross occupies a place between the 2nd and 3rd grades. The first classes have white enameled cruciform arms and a gold border. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Eight-pointed cross made of silver. Cross arms with smooth polished edges. The inner sides are finely indented. Front and back with a round central shield worn. Between the cross sleeves, crossed by the middle, 2 silver swords with Roman parried poles. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder is an ordinary ear with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Central shield with gilded double border.
• The enclosed field is covered with white enamel with a gold burgundy red enameled Pyrmonter anchor cross

Downside:

• Silver central shield with gilded double border.
• On a finely grainy background, 2-line font - FOR -/- VERSTAND -.

Tape:

• white 25 mm wide, edging 1 mm, side stripes black/red/yellow 2 mm each.

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Obverse: Silver Cross with Swords

Reverse: Silver Cross with Swords

Established:

January 14, 1871 Prince George Victor
July 4, 1899 Silver Honorary Cross Fund
May 12, 1915 Sword Foundation

Awarded:

1915 – 1918

Data:

• Material: silver, partly gilded, enamel
• Size: 38mm
• Weight: 18g

estimated collector price:

950 – 990 €

OEK Number:

2860