Germany, Imperial. A Lot of Six Service Awards

A grouping of six Imperial German military and civil service awards, consisting of:

1. A Bavarian Order of Military Merit, III Class with Crown and Swords. (Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1913-1918 issue). Constructed of copper, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, suspended on a swivel crown and ring from its period original ribbon, with crossed swords on the 12 o’clock arm, the obverse bearing a central medallion overlaid by a raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized belt and buckle, bearing the inscription of “Merenti” (Merit) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized belt and buckle bearing the institution date of “1866” with arabesques, unmarked, measuring 42.3 mm (w) x 64 mm (l) including its crown suspension, with patina from age and wear, in near extremely fine condition. 

2. A Braunschweig War Merit Cross, II Class. (Kriegsverdienstkreuz). Instituted October 23rd 1914. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of blackened bronze, consisting of a Cross Pattée, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension from its shortened period original ribbon, the obverse bearing the central raised monogram of Duke Ernst August, flanked by clusters of oak leaves, topped by a royal crown, and situated above a date of “1914”, the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “Für Verdienst im Kriege (For Merit In War) in capital lettering, unmarked, measuring 30.4 mm (w) x 30.4 mm (l), weighing 11.23 grams, in better than very fine condition.

3. A Hesse-Darmstadt Nursing Service Cross. (Dienstehrenzeichen für Krankenpflege). Instituted April 18th 1891. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of zink, on a fixed loop and ring for suspension from its incorrect period original ribbon, consisting of a Gothic Cross Pattée, the obverse with a central inscription of “Für Pflege der Soldaten 1914” (For the Care of Soldiers 1914), the reverse with a central monogram of Ludwig III with the inscription of “Den 25. August 1870” (The 25th of August 1870), measuring 43.6 mm (w) x 48.4 mm (l), weighing 11.93 grams, the ring for suspension previously repaired/replaced, in very fine condition. 

4. An Oldenburg War Veterans Association Honour Cross, Second Class. (Ehrenkreuz 2. Klasse Oldenburger Landeskriegerverband). Instituted 1919. (1919-1934 issue). Constructed of gilded bronze, with a fixed loop and ring for suspension from its incorrect period original ribbon, the obverse with a circular central medallion with the crowned cypher of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, the reverse with a similar applique depicting the coat of arms of Oldenburg and inscribed “Oldenburger Landes Kriegerverband” (Oldenburg War Veterans Association) in the arms of the cross, unmarked, measuring 40.3 mm (w) x 40.2 mm (l), weighing 14.19 grams, in very fine condition.

5. An Anhalt Friedrich Cross. (Friedrich Kreuz). Instituted December 12 1914. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of blackened bronze, consisting of a Cross Pattée, on a fixed loop and swivel ring for suspension from its period original combatants ribbon, the obverse inscribed with the cypher of Friedrich, with an oak wreath between the arms of the cross, the reverse inscribed “Für Verdienst im Kriege” (For Merit in War) in capital lettering, unmarked, measuring 37.4 mm (w) x 37.6 mm (l), weighing 15.19 grams, in better than very fine condition. 

6. A Baden War Merit Cross. (Kriegsverdienstkreuz). Instituted September 9th 1916. (1916-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded zink, on a fixed loop and swivel ring for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with a laurel wreath in the quadrants between the arms of the cross, the reverse with the Baden coat of arms, unmarked, measuring 37.2 mm (w) x 37.2 mm (l), weighing 10.76 grams, the ring for suspension previously repaired/replaced, in very fine condition.