Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords and Award Document, to Joseph Grossmüller

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz, III. Klasse mit Schwertern und Verleihungsurkunde). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1913-1918 issue). Constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, affixed to a bar with a horizontal pinback, the decoration consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) and arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm fastened with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866”, unmarked, measuring 42.48 mm (w) x 48.89 mm (h), weighing 17.8 grams, in near extremely fine condition, accompanied by its award document, constructed of paper stock with black ink, named to “JOSEPH GROSSMÜLLER”, dated 28 May 1918, measuring 210 mm (w) x 165 mm (h), with folding creases evident, in very fine condition, also accompanied by a studio portrait of a Third Reich-period Heer Unteroffizier wearing a Stahlhelm, the reverse bearing a handwritten inscription identifying the subject as “WILHELM GROSSMÜLLER” with what appears to be a memorial cross, measuring 80 mm (w) x 133 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.