Order of Military Merit, Military Division, III Class Cross

SKU: 01.BAV.0107.208.01

Estimated market value:

$ Click to See Price/Value

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

Attributes

  • country
    Germany
  • date of institution
    July 19, 1866
  • remarks
    The III Class Cross with Swords and Crown was awarded from 1913 to 1921. 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.

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.

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.

FOR SALE / WANTED

Item For Sale By

Be the first to sell this item

Wanted By

Be the first to request this item

Versions

  • Price

    $400 USD

  • Composition

    Silver gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    41x45mm

  • Maker

    Jacob Leser, Straubing

  • Version Remarks

    This version is in silver gilt without a crown suspension.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $775 USD

  • Composition

    Silver Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    40x64mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This version is in silver gilt and features a crown suspension.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $2,500 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

    Obv: MERENTI Rev: 1866

  • Size

    41x64mm

  • Maker

    Jacob Leser, Straubing

  • Version Remarks

    This version is in gold with a crown suspension.

  • View Item

Miniatures

  • Price

    $75 USD

  • Size

    8x13.5mm

  • Composition

    Silver/Enamelled

  • Remarks

  • Price

    $135 USD

  • Size

  • Composition

    Silver Gilt/Enamel

  • Remarks

Comments

Sign in to comment and reply.

Scroll Top