The cross with swords presented here was awarded in this form in the 1st World War. For the wars of 1866 and 1870/71, 22 cross crosses with swords were granted. Early commander crosses did not yet have a crown, were made of gold and had multi-part medallions. Since 1891, the golden crown was transferred to the Big Cross and Komtur. The order crosses of the Grand Cross and Komtur were the same size, which made it possible to distinguish them only with the corresponding breast star. Large crosses had 6-beam stars and comtures 1. 4-beam class stars. Komtur 2. The class was assigned without a breast star. During World War I, crosses were made only of silver with simplified medallions.
The Order of Merit was established by King Frederick Augustus back in 1815 as a civil order of merit. Initially, the order was divided into 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 inscription on the reverse. (For merit) In 1858, the Small Cross was renamed the Honorary Cross. Swords for military merit were instituted for all classes in 1866. The swords on the ring were presented by King Johann only in 1870 for holders of the "Mir" class cross, who subsequently received military merit or for those who received a higher class but previously had lower-class military decoration. In 1876, there was a change in statutes. The knight's cross was divided into the 1st and 2nd. The class is divided. The honorary cross was no longer awarded and could be exchanged for the Knight's Cross of the 2nd class. For the gold medal "For Merit," the cross "For Merit" was established. An exchange was also possible. The new 6 classes were: Big Cross, Komtur 1st and 2nd. Class, 1st and 2nd class knights. Class and Merit Cross. In 1891, as a final extension, the golden crown was given to the Grand Cross and Comtur. In the 1st World War, 15 Komtur crosses with swords of the 1st class with a breast star and 36 Komtur crosses with swords of the 2nd class were awarded. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. III, 1999.
Eight-pointed cross made of gilded silver. Front and back sides with superimposed round medallion. The cruciform arms are painted in white enamel and gold border. Between the cross-shaped sleeves are green enameled segments in the form of a diamond crown. On the front side, 2 crossed swords with Roman parry poles pass through the center. These behind the medallion are superimposed on the rhomboid crown segments. Between the apices of the upper cruciform shoulder there are 2 ridges, to which an open 5-arched crown joins. A ring passes through the imperial apple of the crown, into which an elongated ring of tape with double grooves is hooked. On the lower cruciform shoulder of manufacturers on the left - SCHARFFENBERG -, on the right - DRESDEN - and in the middle one - S -.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
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Obverse: Order of Merit Komtur Cross or Grand Cross with Swords
Reverse: Order of Merit Komtursky Cross or Grand Cross with Swords
Awards of World War II