Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords

(Militär-Verdienstorden Kreuz IV. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with gilt and enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms, joined together through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled disc overlaid by a gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized gilded and white enameled belt and buckle, bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilt Bavarian lion rampant, set within a stylized gilded and white enameled belt and buckle, bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, with an arabesque suspension emanating from the twelve o’clock arm with a crossed sword clasp riveted to the obverse, topped by a ring retaining an original ribbon, the suspension loop marked with a silver content number of “900”, measuring 40.77 mm (w) x 49.46 mm (h), weighing 23.9 grams, with minor flecking visible to the enamels in addition to a small chip to the top of the reverse twelve o’clock arm, in extremely fine condition.