Kingdom of Bavaria, Original Military Merit Cross 3rd class with swords

Description

German Empire, Kingdom of Bavaria,
Original Military Merit Cross 3rd class with swords,
(Militär-Verdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit Schwertern).
The Bavarian Military Merit Cross was that kingdom's main decoration for bravery and military merit
for enlisted soldiers. It was intended "to reward extraordinary merit by non-commissioned officers, soldiers,
and lower-ranking officials." It was originally established on July 19, 1866 as the 5th Class of the Military Merit
Order, which was the main decoration for bravery and military merit for officers and higher-ranking officials.
When World War I broke out in 1914, the Military Merit Cross became Bavaria's main decoration for bravery
and merit by enlisted soldiers, roughly equivalent to Prussia's Iron Cross (except unlike the Iron Cross,
the classes of the Military Merit Cross were awarded based on rank).
The total number of awards of all classes was 380,976. Approximately 290,000 were of the 3rd Class with Swords
and approximately 73,000 of the 3rd Class with Crown and Swords. The Military Merit Cross became obsolete with
the fall of the German Empire and the Bavarian Kingdom in 1918, although the Bavarian government continued
to process awards up to 1920.
Material: coppered bronze.
Multipiece construction with separately attached center medallions and riveted swords.
Comes mounted on a piece of reproduction ribbon (UV POSITIVE).
Worn condition, as seen on photos. The copper wash is heavily worn off.
100% Original piece.
Worldwide shipping as 1st class registered letter for
.00.
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