German Awards - Silver Cross of Merit

The cross was established for the merits of all types on July 2, 1900 by King William II. This award before the founding of William the Cross was the highest level of Württemberg honorary badges. The Cross of Merit occupied the place between the Medal of Merit of the Württemberg Order of the Crown and the Knight's Cross of the 2nd Class of the Order of Frederick. Since January 29, 1915, the cross was awarded for merits in the war with 2 gilded swords passing through the center. This award was generally given to sergeant major lieutenants as well as senior Württemberg NCOs if they had already been awarded the Iron Cross or offered to do so.
The award was non-refundable. Crosses were made by Eduard Faure until 1915, after which production passed to the Royal Mint in Stuttgart.

Silver cross with curly cross sleeves rounded at the ends. The edges of the cruciform sleeves with smooth edging, the inner sides are finely granular. Front and back panels with round middle shields (15 mm). On the upper cruciform shoulder there is a transversely standing ear with an elongated ring of tape.

Front side:

• Central shield with smooth raised border.
In
• a closed, thinly grained field, the Gothic letter is W -.
• Above it is the royal crown.

Downside:

• Central shield with smooth raised border.
In a
• field surrounded by fine grain, a circular inscription - MERIT -
There are 6
• ray stars below.

Tape:

red 35 mm wide, edge 1.5 mm, side stripes black 4 mm, 2 central stripes black 1.5 mm between them red 1 mm.

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