The Cross of the Order of Merit of St Michael, pictured here, was established as the last extension of the order in 1910. It takes place between the 2nd class cross and the 3rd class cross. It was made of gold or, as here, gilded silver in the last years of the war. Jacob Leser from Straubing and Weiss & Co. from Munich are known as manufacturers. King Ludwig I established the Order of Merit of St. Michael on February 16, 1837. It could be awarded to foreigners and foreigners regardless of religion and position. The prerequisite was excellent useful service in various fields, devotion and love for the homeland, which were supposed to cause the satisfaction of the king.
Maximilian II. expanded the order at the expense of gross-komture, dividing the knights into 1st and 2nd. Class before the new classification came into effect in 1887. The unit was: Grand Cross, 1st Class, 2nd Class with Star, 2nd Class, 3rd Class, 4th Class with Crown, Cross of Merit and Silver Medal of Merit. In 1894, a bronze medal was added. The last expansion and division occurred in 1910. 4th grade and the cross "For Merit" could now be awarded with and without a crown. In total, the cross was awarded 224 times. Late crosses gilded with silver are less common than gold ones. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1997.
Elongated plaster cross made of gilded silver. Cross sleeves with a wide gold border are enameled in blue. In the center is an oval medallion. Reverse without enamel with vertical pin with mating hook. In the center is a round overlay with the manufacturer's designation. On the lower cruciform shoulder, the punch is S - for silver.
Front side:
Downside:
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Obverse: Order of Merit for Saint Michael
Reverse: Order of Merit of St Michael Cross of Honour
Awards of World War II