(Militär-Verdienstorden, Kreuz und Bruststern, II. Klasse mit Schwertern und Krone). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 issue). A rare set of the Bavarian Military Merit Order, II Class with Swords and Crown, consisting of a cross and breast star.
The cross is constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels and consists of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms, with double-sided silver gilt flames emanating from each quadrant, the obverse with a central black enameled disc bearing a silver gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle with features highlighted in gilt and overlaid by an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) flanked by arabesques, the reverse with an analogous central black medallion overlaid by a silver gilt Bavarian lion rampant, set within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle with features highlighted in gilt and overlaid by an institution date of “1866”, in turn flanked by arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm featuring a stylized fan suspension with a crossed sword clasp riveted to the obverse, culminating in a hollow silver gilt swivel crown with an integral ring connecting to a suspension loop, the latter elongated for the accommodation of a neck ribbon, the fan suspension maker marked on the reverse “J.L.” for the firm of Jacob Leiser, Munich, along with a silver content number of “950”, the interior of the suspension ring also marked with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 66.86 mm (w) x 103.94 mm (h) (inclusive of integral suspension ring), weighing 76.0 grams, a small chip is evident to the enamel of the cross at the corner of the obverse six o’clock arm, with moderate loss of gilt finish evident throughout, and some loosening of the flames between the three and six o’clock arms, in overall near extremely fine condition.
The breast star is constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels and consists of an eight-pointed radiant star, the obverse overlaid by a central Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms, with silver gilt flames emanating from each quadrant, with a central black enameled disc overlaid by a silver gilt monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle with features highlighted in gilt and overlaid by an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) flanked by arabesques, topped by a crossed sword clasp, the reverse with nine visible rivets securing the obverse appliques in place, with a raised barrel hinge and flattened vertical pinback meeting a round catch, maker marked “JUWELIERE GEBR. HEMMERLE VORM. ELCHINGER, MÜNCHEN”, with an additional stamped mark of “S” indicating silver construction, and an additional Hemmerle mark set on the back of the sword clasp, measuring 72.42 mm (w) x 72.08 mm (h), weighing 55.2 grams, most of the gilt finish has been lost and some loosening is evident to the swords, in overall near extremely fine condition.