Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, with Swords, c.1916

(Militär-Verdienstkreuz). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. Type I. (1866-1921 Issue). A silver Maltese Cross with blue enamelled arms, the obverse with a central black enameled medallion bearing a silver crowned cipher of King Ludwig within a white enamelled border in the form of a buckled belt with silver letters reading MERENTI (MERIT), the reverse with a central black enamelled medallion bearing a silver crowned Bavarian lion rampant within a white enamelled border in the form of a buckled belt, dated 1866, with swords attached to the cross directly above the upper arm, the reverse of the swords marked with letter D, measuring 39.35 mm (w) x 43.37 mm (h), on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, presenting minor loss of enamels, and in very fine condition.