German Awards - Meritorious Service Cross 1870/1871

The cross was established on 12 May 1871 by King Ludwig II. The cross was awarded for services to nursing and other selfless actions for the benefit of the army during the 1870/71 war against France. Men, women and virgins who earned on a voluntary basis were awarded. Employed persons were not counted. If a person had already been awarded another award for similar services in war, they were also ineligible for the merit cross award. The Cross of Merit was awarded to princely persons, worn on a wide ribbon from the right shoulder to the left thigh. Crosses were also made that decreased in strength. The medallion ring at these crosses is not so high, and the red Geneva cross is already made. The Merit Cross was not refundable. The number of manufactured products is about 1,500 pieces. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. I, 1997.

Silver cross with raised, smooth and gilded edges. The inner sides of the cruciform sleeves are fine-grained. Front and back sides with false, enameled, round medallion. On the upper cruciform shoulder is gold, decorated with an agraph with a round parallel ear. A ring with a star made of gold is mounted in it.

Front side:

• Central shield with a black enameled strongly curved medallion ring.
• The white enameled frame depicts a red Geneva cross.

Downside:

• Central shield with a wide, light blue enameled ring.
• Inside and outside silver curb. It has a silver inscription:
• Top: - 1870 -, bottom - 1871 -, side decorations in the form of arabesques.
• Closed silver field with radiation background.
• They hung a gold, crowned and decorated letter - L - for Ludwig.

Tape:

• Dark blue 35 mm

Photos of military antiques Kögl www.mkoegl.de

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