Bulgaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, III Class Commander with Swords & War Decoration, c.1917

(Орден за Военна Заслуга). Instituted in 1900. Type I. (1900 - 1937 Issue). In bronze gilt Arrow Cross with red enamelled arms, crossed swords pierce the quadrants between the arms, and a green enamelled wreath is superimposed on the obverse, the center obverse presents the cypher of, surrounded by the inscription 3А ВОЕННА 3АСЛУГА (For Military Merit) on a white enamel ring, the reverse presents a rampant lion on a red enamelled field with a white enamel ring inscribed 2 АВГУСТЪ 1891 (2 August 1891), measuring 62.96 mm (h) x 94.47 mm (h – inclusive of crown suspension), weighs 64.8 grams (excluding ribbon), chipping evident in the red and green enamelled jewels at the base of the crown, otherwise the enamels are intact, on its original full-length neck ribbon, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Military Merit is a Bulgarian order during the Kingdom of Bulgaria and the Republic of Bulgaria. It is the third highest order in the Republic of Bulgaria along with the Order of Civil Merit and the Order of the Madara Rider. The order was established by Prince Ferdinand I, with a decree of the Knyaz on May 19, 1900 as a sign of the benevolence of the Monarch to the bravery of the Bulgarian army. It was similar to the Order of Civil Merit but made for military personnel. It was awarded to military officers for bravery or meritorious service, established in six grades, with the Grand Cross added in 1933. The War Decoration was authorized in 1916, and the use of a Bravery Ribbon in 1912.