The Order of Merit was established by King Frederick Augustus I on June 7, 1815 as a civil order of merit. Initially, the order was established in 3 classes: the Grand Cross, Komtur and the Knight's Cross. Unofficially, the Civil Medal was considered the 4th class. In 1849, the order was renamed the Order of Merit and expanded to 5 classes. These included the Grand Cross, Komturkreuz 1st Class, Komturkreuz 2nd Class, Knight's Cross and Small Cross. For this, he received gold and silver medals. Foreigners were awarded the order with a different reverse inscription. (Merit) Komturam 1st class was additionally awarded a breast star to the order cross. 2nd class Komtur was assigned without this. Swords for military merit were instituted for all classes in 1866. The design of thoracic stars was changed for the first time in 1891. The star to the Big Cross becomes 8-beam. The star to Komtur 1st class by 1891 had a total of 40 rays with clearly indented intermediate rays. As of 1891, the thoracic star had only 32 rays. Intermediate rays no longer shorten so much towards the center. Medallions of both forms with a double raised border. The last form of pectoral stars, usually with swords, has only a raised rim and painted medallions. The first form was awarded about 100 times, the second - about 80 times. The manufacturer of the 2nd form was Scharffenberg from Dresden. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.
Four-pointed star made of silver with smooth rays. The 4 main rays above, below and on the sides are longer. Between them, 7 stepped, becoming shorter than the rays. In the center is a gilded enameled medallion. The reverse is smooth and silver with a perpendicular pin. Middle with a large round jewelry plate from the manufacturer Scharffenberg.
Front side:
Downside:
Obverse: Order of Merit breast star to comture (2nd form)
Reverse: Order of Merit chest star to comture (2nd form)
Awards of World War II