(Militärverdiestorden Kreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted on 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (Issued 1891-1918). A blue-enamelled, eight-pointed Maltese cross constructed of hollow gilded silver, with gold-bordered arms, golden flames in the corners of the arms of the cross, with crossed golden swords on the upper cross arm, the obverse shows a medallion with a centre presenting a black enamelled base bordered in gold and the silvered crowned monogram “L,” around it the motto “MERENTI” (“THE MERIT”) in gold lettering over a white-enamelled outer circle edged in gold, the reverse medallion presents a Bavarian lion in silver over a black-enamelled background, around it a white enamelled outer ring under golden lettering with the year “1866,” maker mark “WEISSuCIE” on flat suspension loop in addition to the silver hallmark “900” and crescent moon, the maker’s initials “WC” on the reverse side of the sword tip, measures 56.34 mm (w) x 65.04 mm (h), weighs 40.7 g, on the upper cross arm, a golden clasp with round eyelet for the flat suspension loop with period original white ribbon with blue stripes and white edges (indicative of civil merit), and in extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Between 1905 and 1918, the Military Merit of Order (Bavaria) II. Class with Swords was awarded to 355 recipients.