(Орден за Военна Заслуга). Instituted in 1900. Type I with Imperial Crown Case. Hardshelled, the exterior with a red fabric covering on five sides and a black fabric bottom, inscribed "ОРДЕНЪ ЗА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА ВЕЛИКЪ КРЪСТЪ", with the Imperial crown above and an open-ended wreath of oak leaves and laurel leaves indicative of a War Decoration below the inscription on the lid, inside lid lined in white satin, the lining exhibiting the impressions of the once present Badge and Breast Star of the Order, raised platform in white velvet with a recessed medal bed and slotted medal bed for the Badge and Breast Star respectively, dual-hinged, latch closure, measuring 122 mm (w) x 302 mm (h) x 55 mm (d), light soiling evident on the lid, red fabric covering peeling away versus the bottom at the front and near the rear on the left side, lightly soiled medal bed, near extremely fine.
Footnote: The Order of Military Merit is a Bulgarian order during the Kingdom of Bulgaria and the Republic ofBulgaria. In is the third highest order in the Republic of Bulgaria along with the Order of Civil Merit and the Order of the Madara Rider. The order was established by Prince Ferdinand I, with a decree of the Knyaz on May 19, 1900 as a sign of the benevolence of the Monarch to the bravery of the Bulgarian army. It was similar to the Order of Civil Merit but made for military personnel. It was awarded to military officers for bravery or meritorious service, established in six grades, with the Grand Cross added in 1933. The War Decoration was authorized in 1916, and the use of a Bravery Ribbon in 1912.