Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Civil Division II Class with Case, by Gebrüder Hemmerle

(Militärverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Etui). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 issue). Constructed of silver and enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a raised monogram of King Ludwig II, within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) and arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” and arabesques, unmarked, measuring 41.37 mm (w) x 48.87 mm (h), weighing 15.7 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux light blue leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered inscription of “BAYR. M. V. K. 2. KL.”, the interior with a padded blue satin lid liner bearing a partially-intact maker’s mark of “GEBRÜDER HEMMERLE, MÜNCHEN”, with a retractable and depressed blue velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal snap button, measuring 60 mm (w) x 88 mm (l) x 25 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.