Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross

SKU: 01.BAV.0107.212.01

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  • Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross (without crown) Obverse
  • Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross (without crown) Obverse
  • Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross (without crown) Reverse
  • Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross (without crown) Obverse
  • Order of Military Merit, Military Division, I Class Military Merit Cross (without crown) Reverse

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    July 19, 1866
  • remarks
    The I Class Military Merit Cross was awarded from 1891 to 1921. The I Class Military Merit Cross with Swords is gilded, which distinguishes it from the II and III Class Military Merit Cross.

Physical Description


A Maltese cross in gilded silver; the 12 o'clock arm bearing two crossed swords, the obverse with a central medallion bearing the crowned cipher of King Ludwig II within a border in the form of a buckled belt, inscribed with lettering reading "MERENTI" (Merit); the reverse with a central medallion bearing a crowned Bavarian lion within a border in the form of a buckled belt, with numbers reading “1866”; suspended from a structure composed of arabesques, with loop for suspension.

The I Class Military Merit Cross can be found with or without a crown suspension.

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.

All three classes of the Military Merit Cross could be awarded with or without swords, with the swords signifying wartime merit. The addition of a crown denoted especial merit or that a recipient received another cross.

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Versions

  • Price

    $250 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version does not feature a crown suspension.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $325 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    41x67mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version contains a crown suspension.

  • View Item

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