Germany, Imperial. A Königgrätz Cross and Award Certificate to Gefreiter Buddeberg, 1866

(Preußisches Erinnerungskreuz 1866 “Königgrätz”). Instituted September 20, 1866 by King Wilhelm I. In bronze, with a laurel wreath between the arms, the obverse centre bearing the cipher “WR” for King Wilhelm I, circumscribed “PREUSSENS SIEGREICHEM HEERE” (PRUSSIA’S VICTORIOUS ARMY), the 12 o’clock arm bears the Prussian crown, the 9, 3 and 6 o’clock arms inscribed with “GOTT WAR MIT UNS IHM SEI DIE EHRE” (GOD WAS WITH US TO HIM BE THE GLORY), the reverse centre bears a crowned Prussian eagle perched on a cannon, the 12 o’clock arm inscribed with “KÖNIGGRÄTZ”, the 9 o’clock arm inscribed with “DEN 3”, the 3 o’clock arm inscribed with “JULI” and the 6 o’clock arm inscribed with “1866”, on black ribbon with white and orange stripes, very fine.

The award certificate is named to Gefreiter (lance corporal) of the 5th Guard Battery, Friedrich Wilhelm August Adolf Julius Buddeberg. It carries the stamp of the Royal Prussian Guard Field Artillery Regiment and is signed in black ink by the regiment’s commander, an Oberst (colonel), the name is illegible.

Measuring 294 mm (w) x 229 mm (h), presenting multiple folding creases and overall creasing, remains near very fine.