Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, IV Class Knight’s Cross with Swords, c.1915

(Militär-Verdienstorden Kreuz IV. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined together through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central blue enameled disc overlaid by a silver monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a silver lion rampant, within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered date of “1866” with arabesques, the reverse of the sword clasp bearing a silver content number of “900” beside a maker’s mark rendered illegible by the twelve o’clock arm of the cross, measuring 41.25 mm (w) x 48.25 mm (h), weighing 25.4 grams, with some flecking of enamels evident, in near extremely fine condition.