Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, with Case, by Weiss & Co.

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz). Instituted on 19 July 1866. A Maltese cross constructed of silvered zink, with crossed Roman swords above the 12 o’clock cross arm, the obverse centre presents a circular central medallion bearing the crowned cipher of King Ludwig III within a circular border in the form of a buckled belt inscribed MERENTI (MERIT) above, with arabesques below, the reverse centre bearing the Bavarian crowned lion rampant within a circular border in the form of a buckled belt dated 1866, measuring 42.18 mm (w) x 49.94 mm (h), weighing 19.2 grams, on period original replacement ribbon, and in very fine condition, accompanied by the case of issue, constructed of blue hard cardstock, marked on exterior with Bayr.M.V.Kr. 3. Kl., interior maker marked WEISS & Co., München, with a purple satin liner and purple velvet recessed medal bed, functional clasp, measuring 65 mm (w) x 90 mm (l) x 20 mm (h), slightly scuffed exterior, in otherwise very fine condition.