German Awards - Order of Henry the Lion Cross of Merit 1st Class with Swords

The Cross of Merit was established on the same day as the Order of Heinrich Leo, April 25, 1834 by Duke Wilhelm. The classes of the order were: Grand Cross, Commander 1st and 2nd. Class, 1st and 2nd class knights. In 1903, the order was supplemented with a silver medal ("Badge of Honor"). In 1908, the 1st class and the officer's cross and cross of the 4th class were established. The silver medal was divided into 1st and 2nd classes. 1st class from now on in silver or gilding. Second class in bronze. The Cross of Merit was established in the 2nd grade and until 1903 was the lower level of the Order of Heinrich Leo. 1st grade in gold with a circulating enameled oak-leafy wreath. 2nd class in silver without an oak wreath. These crosses were also awarded for military merit with swords. They were established and granted only in 1879. Swords, respectively, in the material of crosses, were minted and soldered separately. Crosses of the 1st class with swords were made of gold, and later copies were made of silver with gilding. The 1st class was awarded only 53 times and is one of the rarest orders of Braunschweig. The manufacturer's mark - S - stands for Siebrecht, a court jeweller in Braunschweig.

Elongated silver gilded cross. Crosses with raised polished edges, curved and slightly curved inward at the ends. Inner sides of crosses with fine grain. On the lower 3 cruciform shoulders, one small ball. In the center is an oval medallion. Between the cruciform sleeves with a small distance to the medallion is a circular green enameled laurel wreath with red fruits. 2 crossed gilded swords laid on a wreath pass through the center.. An eye with a ribbon ring is soldered on the upper cruciform shoulder.
Front side:

• The central shield is surrounded by a rope ring.
In
• a closed field with a border, a crowned rough letter - W -
• On the crosses above: - IM - left: - MO - right: - TA - bottom 2 lines: - FI - DES -
• (Unwavering loyalty)

Downside:

• Smooth and gilded. On the lower cruciform shoulder are recessed punches - star - S - and - 900 -.
• Punches are at the very bottom. The figure is 900 - on the globe.

Tape:

Width 38 mm, side stripes yellow 5 mm.

.