German Awards - Order of Merit Silver Cross of Merit with Swords

The Cross of Merit was established with the change of statutes in 1876. The first sword uniform was only issued for the 1870/71 war in exchange for a gold medal. The Silver Cross "For Merit" (since 1910) was awarded without swords for civil merit and with swords for military merit. During the award period, 2 forms came to the award. The 1st form has a medallion of several parts and is about 1 mm larger and somewhat heavier. (up to 14 g) Swords of the 1st form were minted on only one side. Swords were awarded only 4 pieces in return for the gold medal "For Merit." The 2nd form is knocked out of a single piece and slightly smaller and lighter. Swords are both sides here. This uniform was awarded from 1914 to 1918. The circulation is indicated at 375 pieces.
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. The breast star of the Grand Cross became 8-ray. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen until 1945, vol. III, 1999.

Eight-pointed silver cross. Cruciform shoulders with wide, raised, smooth edges. The inner sides of the cross sleeves are finely cut. Front and rear round, embossed with a central shield. 2 crossed swords pass through the center, knocked out on both sides. Between the apices of the upper cruciform shoulder is an angel-shaped ordinary ring with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Round central shield with a wide raised ring.
• Inside and outside, it is bounded by one edge.
• The ring bears the inscription: - FR. - AUG. - K. - V. - SAXONY -
• - D. - 7. - JUNE - 1815 - 6-ray star at the bottom.
In
• a surrounded recessed field is a crowned Saxon coat of arms.

Downside:

• The edge of the middle shield is formed by an oak-broad-leaved wreath.
In
• a closed, finely cut field, 4-line font:
• - FOR -/- MERIT -/- AND -/- FIDELITY -

Tape:

• 35 mm wide, white edges, with green side stripes of 6 mm

.