Germany Awards - Cross for Dedication and Loyalty to Duty in Wartime

The Cross of Merit was presented on June 12, 1871 by the Grand Duke Nikolai Friedrich Peter. Men, women and virgins who..." distinguished themselves during the war against France in the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg by volunteering for purposes caused by the war, or earned the right to be recognized as a special faithful service duty in this direction." (Legislative Gazette, vol. 22 S.75 ff) The presentation included a deed of gift. The crosses were made by Knauer in Hanover. The latter delivered 300 pieces to the order office. Awards were to be completed in 1873. Nevertheless, several awards occurred in the following years. The total number of awards is 163. (Source: F. Beyreiss, Order of the House and portable honorary signs of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg 1813-1918)

Gilded bronze cross. The crosses are rounded at the ends and have a raised polished edging. The insides are finely indented. Front and back with embossed middle shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The middle shield is formed by a circular golden oak-broad-leaved wreath.
In
• a surrounded white enameled field is a red Geneva cross.
• On the upper cruciform shoulder, the letter - P - is under the crown.
• On the lower cruciform shoulder, the annual numbers (large) - 18 - (small) above each other - 70 _ 71 -.

Downside:

• The central shield is surrounded by a pearl cord.
• The cruciform brackets, as well as the middle shield, are finely grainy without inscription.

Tape:

• red 33 mm wide, edges 1 mm, side stripes and 1 central stripe blue 5 mm.