Description
BAVARIA – MILITARY MERIT CROSS / ORDER – 4th CLASS – ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE
This is an infrequently seen Bavarian decoration, the Military Merit Order 4th Class. The order was founded in 1866, during König Ludwig II’s reign. It was part of a larger series of decorations within the Military Merit Order (MMO). The MMO was an officer’s-only decoration. In the 4th Class it was awarded without Swords, with Swords, and with Crown. [In the normal course of business I see a lot of MMO’s 4th Class with Swords, since they were awarded in great numbers during WW I. During the same time, only limited numbers of the MMO with Swords and Crown were awarded].
This is a beautiful example of the MMO 4th Class, which was awarded without benefit of the Swords and Crown. It probably was awarded to an officer prior to the beginning of WW I, most likely between 1905 to 1914. The cross measures 1 3/4″ x 1 1/2.” The arms’ blue enamel is gorgeous and without problems. The flames among the arms are silver. In the obverse’s center is Ludwig’s cypher in GOLD. The reverse’s center sports the rampant Lion of Bavaria, also in GOLD. The cross was produced by the high-quality firm of Weiss and Company. Its silver portions are .950 silver. Its ORIGINAL presentation case is light-blue with decoration’s name embossed in gold on the exterior. The case measures 3″ x 2″ x 3/4.” The interior consists of a cream-colored silk upper liner and a cream-colored velvet base. A correct and original length of white and blue ribbon is attached to the decoration. It is a beautiful presentation of the seldom-seen decoration.
