German Awards - Meritorious Service Cross 1st Class with Swords

The Order of Merit for the Principality of Waldeck was originally established as a medal on July 3, 1857 by Prince Georg Friedrich. On January 14, 1871, Prince George Victor established the Order of Merit as a cross. The medal was now rated as Grade 2. 1878 the 3rd class and silver medal of merit were established. 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 1899, the silver honorary cross became the 5th. Class added. The first classes have white enameled cruciform arms and a gold border. On May 12, 1915, all classes were awarded swords for military merit. Since February 1918, for the award of swords, the possession of the Iron Cross was 1. Class requirement. Only Waldeck-Pyrmont subjects who made money on the princely house and land were eligible. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.

A cross made of gold or silver gilded in the form of a Johannite cross. The cross arms are sheathed in gold and enameled in white. Front side with a large enameled middle shield worn. Reverse with a round large gold middle shield. 2 crossed antique swords pass through the center. Between the tops of the upper cruciform shoulder is a transversely standing ear, into which golden oak foliage with an elongated ribbon ring is suspended.

Front side:

• The central shield is round with a wide blue enameled edge.
• Inside a narrow gold ring
• An 8-striped black enameled stral wreath is laid on the round central shield.
• The edges of the rays are polished with gold. It has a round shield with a gold border.
• The enclosed field is covered in white enamel with a gold burgundy red enameled Pyrmonter anchor cross
• At the bottom on the blue rim and between the rays is a 4-part gold font:
• - Dem -/- Ver-/- dien-/- ste - Above the center, 1 gold star on the right and left.

Downside:

• Golden central shield with border.
• On a fine-grained background, the letters - G V - are intertwined.
• Put on the princely crown.

Tape:

• white 53 mm wide, edging 2 mm, side stripes black/red/yellow 3 mm each.

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Front: 1st Class Sword Cross of Merit

Reverse: 1st Class Sword Cross of Merit

Established:

July 3, 1857 Establishment of the Medal of Merit by Prince Georg Victor
January 14, 1871 the establishment of the Order of Merit
May 12, 1915 Sword Foundation

Awarded:

1915 – 1918

Data:

• Material: gold, enamel
• Size: 62mm
• Weight: 28.4g

estimated collector price:

8300 - 8500 € in gold
4500 - 4700 € silver-gilded

OEK Number:

2850