Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, III Class with Swords, by Jacob Leser, c.1914

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Instituted 19 July 1866. Constructed of bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse with a central monogram of Ludwig II inside of a stylized belt buckle bearing an inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse with a central Bavarian lion rampant inside of a stylized belt buckle with an institution date of “1866” and arabesques, the obverse twelve o’clock arm with crossed swords, unmarked, measuring 41.79 mm (w) x 50.54 mm (h), weighing 24.3 grams, accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of heavy card stock with a faux blue leather exterior, the lid with a silver embossed inscription of “BAYR. M.V. KR. 3 KL.”, the interior with a blue satin lid liner with a maker’s mark of “HOFKUNSTANSTALT UND ORDENFABRIK JACOB LESER, STRAUBING”, with a slotted blue velvet medal bed, opening with a functional magnetic metal snap button and a functional magnetic metal hinge, measuring 60 mm (w) x 87 mm (l) x 19 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.