Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, Third Class, with Swords, by Jacob Leser, c.1914

(Bayerische Militärverdienstorden, III. Klasse mit Schwertern). c. 1905-1918. A silver gilt Maltese cross with blue enameled arms and with flames between the arms fo the cross; the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver gilt crowned cipher of King Ludwig III, surrounded by a broad white enameled ring in the form of a buckled belt, inscribed “MERENTI” (Latin - Merit), in silver gilt lettering; the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver gilt crowned Bavarian lion within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt in silver gilt numbers, reading “1866”, suspended from a structure composed of arabesques with crossed silver gilt swords; on a loop for suspension with its period original ribbon; the swords marked “900” and “J.L” for “Jacob Leser”; measuring 41.00 mm (h) x 44.70 mm (h); weighing 26.1 grams; light cracking to the enamels on the obverse with moderate flaking to the enamels on the reverse; in overall near very fine condition.