Bayerischer Militärverdienstkreuz 3.Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui

In a excellentt condition a Bayern military merit cross 3rd class with swords 3rd form 1913 with award box

Awardl Box. Maker marked L. Christian Lauer GmbH Münprägant Nürnberg-Berlin

The Military Merit Crosses were donated by King Ludwig II together with the Military Merit Order on July 19, 1866. The Military Merit Order was established in 5 classes: Grand Cross, Commander, Knight 1st and 2nd class and the Military Merit Cross for the Order. The first form consisted of a class from 1866 to 1905. The main feature is the blue enameled cross arms, edged in silver. The swords were donated in 1891 for all classes and subsequently awarded for the wars of 1866 and 1870/71. In 1900 the Officer's Cross was donated. The 2nd form of the Military Cross of Merit was awarded from 1905 (November 24) to 1913 and now consisted of 2 classes without enameled cross arms. These crosses were made of silver with grained cross arms. The 1st class with an enamelled center plate and the 2nd class without enamel. From 1913 the Military Merit Cross consisted of 3 classes, each with and without a crown. For war services with swords attached to the clasp of the upper arm of the cross. The 1st class in gilded silver or copper, the 2nd class in silver or silvered alpaca or copper and the 3rd class in copper tint. 1st and 2nd class have enamelled middle plates on the front, 3rd class without enamel.
The order could be awarded to all members of the Bavarian army and also to members of other armies who have rendered outstanding services to the army. The peace class without swords could also be awarded to civilians for services to the army. During the First World War, the merits often only consisted of financial donations. The well-known manufacturers of the crosses from 1889 are Hemmerle from Munich, Jacob Leser from Straubing, Deschler & Sohn from Munich, Christian Lauer from Nuremberg and Weiss & Cie. from Munich. The Poellath company from Schrobenhausen was a subcontractor for Hemmerle.

Eight-pointed cross made of copper or copper-plated non-ferrous metal. The arms of the cross are grained and bordered by polished edges. Front and back with a round 17mm central shield. On the upper arm of the cross, between the points, an agraffe on which the crossed swords are attached. At the upper end of the clasp a spherical eyelet with a band ring.

Front:

Round medallion, centered with a squiggly - L - under the Bavarian royal crown
This is surrounded by a wide ring in the form of a belt with a buckle at the bottom.
Then in the upper area the curved writing: - MERENTI - in the lower area flourishes and dots (belt holes)
Back:

In the middle of the medallion is the Bavarian lion
This is surrounded by a wide ring in the form of a belt with a buckle at the bottom.
On it in the upper area, curved the number: - 1866 - in the lower area flourishes and dots (belt holes)

Code: 52128