Awards of Germany - Württemberg Military Memorial Sign with swords on enameled back

This version of the military commemorative sign is fully enameled. The front and back sides, as well as both medallions, are carefully enameled. Another form with an enameled back has no enameled medallion. The military memorial sign was established around 1920 by the Union of Württemberg front-line soldiers 1914/18 in the German Union of Warriors 1914/18 e. V. It was presented in memory of the difficult times of the war and in recognition of special merits to the Fatherland. Various variants of the cross are known. There are crosses with an enameled front and back, enameled crosses without an enameled back medallion, and crosses without an enameled back. These commemorative crosses were issued after World War I by many Warrior Union unions. After the 1st World War, there was no state award in memory of the war. Thus, ground military units and various unions of front-line soldiers, for their part, often established very attractive commemorative crosses and even knightly crosses for soldiers participating in the war in their alliance. He was awarded swords, as a rule, to front-line soldiers. The Württemberg Cross was also awarded without crossed swords.
Although these crosses were issued by the Union of Württemberg front-line soldiers in 1914/18, they had to be paid for by the bearer himself. Very expensive then and rare today.

An eight-pointed cross (Ioannite cross) made of gilded non-ferrous metal with white enameled cross sleeves. Front and back with superimposed oval enameled middle shield. Through the center are two gilded crossed swords. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a segment with a small ring and a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• Oval central shield, above the Württemberg royal crown. In the center is the red-black enameled coat of arms of Württemberg.
• This is surrounded at the bottom by a knitted, gilded laurel wreath that opens in a crown
• The crown reaches the upper middle edge of the upper cruciate shoulder.

Downside:

• Median oval shield. Along the edge is a wide black enameled font ring with raised edges.
• On the ring inscription: - WÜRTEMBERGISCHES - KRIEGS - REMINDER - SIGN -
• The central one, on a red enameled background, is an image of a sword held vertically, with a steel helmet on the tip.
• Against the background of the hilt to the middle of the sword are laurel leaves.
• On the cross sleeves rise: on the left - Fearless -, on the right - and faithful -, at the top number of the year - 1914 -, at the bottom number of the year - 1918 -

Tape:

• red 30 mm wide, edges red/black/red 1 mm/1 mm/1.5 mm, black side stripes 4 mm.

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Obverse: Württemberg War memorial sign with swords on enameled back

Reverse: Württemberg Military Memorial Sign with swords with enameled back

Established:

1920 Union of Württemberg front-line soldiers 1914/18 in the German Military Union.

Awarded:

1920 – 1934

Data:

• Material: non-ferrous metal gold-plated/enameled
• Size: 40.3mm x 39.9mm
• Weight: 14.4g

estimated collector price:

150 – 170 €

OEK Number:

Without