The Order of St. Michael was originally a chivalric order founded by Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, then Prince-Bishop of Cologne, on 29 September 1693 and open only to nobility. Members were to defend the Catholic faith as well as provide financial assistance. The secularization of 1803 led to the disappearance of a branch in the Rhineland. The branch in Bavaria lasted until 1837. Initially, the order consisted of 2 classes of the Grand Cross and the Knight. It was expanded to 3 classes in 1808. Grand Cross, Komtur and Knight.
King Ludwig I dissolved the order and established the Order of Merit of St. Michael on February 16, 1837. All persons could now be admitted to it, regardless of faith and class. 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. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. 1, 1997.
Silver cross with dark blue enameled, silver-burgundy cross sleeves. Front and back with a raised middle shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a curly ear with a small shank and a ribbon ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
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Obverse: St Michael of the Cross 4th Class Order of Merit
Reverse: St Michael of the Cross 4th Class Order of Merit
Awards of World War II