Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, IV Class with Swords, c.1915

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz IV. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 Issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the loop bearing a crossed sword clasp, consisting of a Maltese Cross with flames emanating from between the quadrants, the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned monogram of Ludwig III within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver letters reading “MERENTI” (“MERIT”), the reverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned Bavarian lion rampant within a white enameled border in the form of a buckled belt bearing a date of “1866” with arabesques, unmarked, measuring 41.10 mm (w) x 49.79 mm (h), weighing 23.6 grams, chipping of enamels evident to both the obverse and reverse, in very fine condition.