Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, III Class Merit Cross with Crown, Swords, and Case

(Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Schwertern, Krone, und Etui). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1913-1918 issue). Constructed of coppered bronze, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse bearing a central raised monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central raised Bavarian lion rampant, set within a stylized belt and buckle bearing an institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp and hollow crown suspension with a loop retaining a period original ribbon, the reverse of the sword clasp bearing a raised initial “D” possibly indicating manufacture by Deschler & Sohn, Munich, measuring 43.26 mm (w) x 65.86 mm (h), weighing 26.5 grams, accompanied by an original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux light blue leather exterior liner, the lid bearing an embossed and silvered inscription of “BAYR. M. V. KR. 3. KL. M. D. KR.”, the interior with a blue satin lid liner stamped with a maker’s mark of “WEISS & CO., MÜNCHEN” and overlaid by a strap to secure the ribbon in place, with a depressed blue velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal snap button, the base retaining a label bearing a handwritten owner’s name, measuring 60 mm (w) x 90 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), with minor material fatigue visible to the case, in near extremely fine condition.