Order of Military Merit, Civil Division, III Class Cross

SKU: 01.BAV.0107.108.01

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  • Order of Military Merit, III Class Cross Obverse
  • Order of Military Merit, III Class Cross Reverse
  • Order of Military Merit, III Class Cross Obverse
  • Order of Military Merit, III Class Cross Reverse

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    July 19, 1866
  • remarks
    There is a great deal of variation within the versions of the III Class Cross. Small variations in design exist because of different manufacturers. The III Class Cross can be found with or without crown. The III Class Cross was established in 1905. The III Class Cross with Crown was awarded from 1913 to 1921.

Physical Description


A Maltese cross with blue enamel arms. The obverse with a central black enamelled medallion bearing a gold crowned cipher of King Ludwig III, surrounded by a broad white enamelled ring in the form of a buckled belt, inscribed “MERENTI” (Merit) in gold lettering. The reverse bears a central black enamelled medallion with a gold crowned Bavarian lion within a white enamelled border in the form of a buckled belt in gold numbers, reading “1866”, suspended from a structure composed of arabesques. On a white ribbon with blue stripes at the border.

History


The Order of Military Merit was established on July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It was Bavaria’s main decoration for acts of bravery and military merit; however, it was ranked below the Military Order of Max Joseph. Military personnel, civilians acting in support of the military, and members of foreign armies were eligible for the Order of Military Merit. If an individual’s act of bravery or merit was exceptional, they qualified for the Military Order of Max Joseph.

The award was initially awarded in five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Commander, Commander, I Class Knight and II Class Knight, and an affiliated Merit Cross. Award ribbons varied based on division and class.
In 1891, swords were donated to all classes for acts of bravery or merit in war. The order could be conferred with or without swords; awards with swords were generally issued during periods of war or combat.

In 1900, the Officer’s class was added to the order. In 1905, the classes were renamed Grand Cross (and Grand Cross Breast Star), I Class Cross (and I Class Breast Star), II Class Cross (and II Class Breast Star), Officer Cross, III Class Cross, IV Class Cross, I Class Knight’s Cross, II Class Knight’s Cross, I Class Military Merit Cross, II Class Military Merit Cross, and III Class Military Merit Cross.
The Grand Cross and I Class Cross were awarded with a Breast Star; the II Class Cross could be awarded with or without a Breast Star. The III Class Cross and IV Class Cross could be awarded with or without a crown. This distinction was generally based on rank.
There was also a Military Merit Cross, which was awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers and Enlisted Men.

Makers of the order include: Eduard Quellhorst, Munich; Hausinger, Munich; Hemmerle, Munich; Jacob Reader, Straubing; Deschler & Sohn, Munich; L. Christian Lauer, Nuremberg; Weiss & Cie, Munich.

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Versions

  • Price

    $2,800 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    42x50mm

  • Maker

    Gebrüder Hemmerle, Munich

  • Version Remarks

    This version is without a crown suspension.

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  • Price

    $550 USD

  • Composition

    Silver Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    40x48mm

  • Maker

    Weiss & Cie, München

  • Version Remarks

    This version is constructed of silver gilt.

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  • Price

    $850 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    41x61.5mm

  • Maker

    Weiss & Cie., Munich

  • Version Remarks

    This version bears a crown suspension. The III Class Cross with Crown was awarded from 1913 to 1921.

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Case Of Issue

  • Price

    $300 USD

  • Size

    57x91mm

  • Remarks

Miniatures

  • Price

    $135 USD

  • Size

    17.5x21mm

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Remarks

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