{"title":"Europe-Germany-German States-Baden-Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"baden-order-of-military-merit-of-karl-g2247","title":"Baden - Order Of Military Merit Of Karl","description":"Frederick - Commander's Cross: Cross in silver gilt and enamels, (1807-1918), with original, full length, wide neck ribbon. Cross measures 46.12 mm in width, and 74.97mm in height (including crown suspension). World War I period issue, unmarked, of fine quality manufacture, extremely fine condition. Rare.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46109145497877,"sku":"G2247","price":9800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/gst79802.jpg?v=1692839209"},{"product_id":"baden-military-karl-friedrich-order-g4466","title":"Baden, Military Karl Friedrich Order,","description":"Military Merit Medal (1915-18), in silver, 40.3mm, extremely fine: WWI award to Vizefeldwebel Rudolf STAPF, MW-Komp. 424. Zelosko 1fd Nr. 646. Awarded for retrieving MW lost when position was over-run by enemy. With old original ribbon: Award for 3rd Ypres\/Flanders\/Passchendaele; Rudolf Stapf, Vizefeldwebel, Pionier-Bataillon 214\/Minenwerfer-Kompanie 424. Born June 17, 1888. Award No.646.The Company was in the line during the Flanders battle from the 08-20th of August 1917. Stapf participated in all the actions including the \"Grosskampftag\" on the 16th of August. On this day the company was in action with four medium Minenwerfer. As the British broke into our lines that day the Minenwerfer position had to be abandoned. On the 17th of August the company sent out three patrols to see if the Werfer had fallen into enemy hands. The patrols returned unsuccessfully. At this point Vizefeldwebel (at the time Unteroffizier) Stapf volunteered to find the positions. Although the way was only known by map he succeeded on the afternoon of the 17th of August in finding all four Werfer positions. It is thanks to Stapf?s brave action that the company was able to (on the night of the 17th-18th of August) recover two of the Werfer and the barrel and Lafette of a third. Stapf led the company to the positions. A Fourth Werfer had been totally destroyed. Stapf has been recommended for the award one time before. Total of 1282 silver Military Merit Medals awarded during WWI.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46109577085205,"sku":"G4466","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/gst10010001.jpg?v=1692840197"},{"product_id":"the-military-karl-friedrich-order-to-sergeant-eduard-rupp-g12994","title":"The Military Karl Friedrich Order To  \nSergeant Eduard Rupp","description":" \nThe Military Karl Friedrich Order to Sergeant Eduard Rupp - Military Merit Medal (1915-18), in silver, 40.3mm, on period ribbon, good very fine: WWI award to Sergeant Eduard Rupp, 1. Landstrum-Inf-Batl. Mosbach. Zelosko 1fd. Nr.915. Total of 1282 silver Military Merit Medals awarded during WWI.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46109602414869,"sku":"G12994","price":2350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/img_05_3faf0c6f-7bbc-419c-ae35-b79c2b2424bb.jpg?v=1692840263"},{"product_id":"baden-a-military-karl-friedrich-merit-order-in-gold-knight-by-lemaitre-c1875-g15834","title":"Baden. A Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order In Gold, Knight, By Lemaitre, C.1875","description":"(Militär Karl-Friedrich-Verdienstorden). Instituted 1805. Of French manufacture, in Gold and with enamels, measuring 25.5 mm (w) x 43.5 mm (h -including crown suspension),  with small period repair below the crown, enamels with small contact marks\/restoration, in generally very fine condition, with period ribbon; in fitted case of issue, marked Lemaitre, Paris, circa 1870-80 (case showing age and use, but very rare period case).","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46112510443797,"sku":"G15834","price":3200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/a_rare_military__54abf09c77bfe.jpg?v=1734981886"},{"product_id":"baden-grand-duchy-an-award-document-for-a-silver-merit-medal-of-the-military-karl-friedrich-merit-order-g45090","title":"Baden, Grand Duchy. An Award Document For A Silver Merit Medal Of The Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order","description":"(Silberne Verdienstmedaille des Militär Karl Friedrich-Verdienstordens Verleihungsurkunde). An award certificate for a Silver Merit Medal of the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order, named to Ludwig Meffert of 3. Landsturm-Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillons XIV, issued at Karlsruhe on 9 March 1918, measuring 209 mm (w) x 165 mm (h), in very fine condition.\n\n","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46128023994645,"sku":"G45090","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/m19_11169.jpg?v=1692890938"},{"product_id":"baden-grand-duchy-a-military-karl-friedrich-order-to-hermann-klenzmann-c1915-g45464","title":"Baden, Grand Duchy. A Military Karl Friedrich Order, To Hermann Klenzmann, C.1915","description":"\u003cp\u003e(Verdienstmedaille des Karl Friedrich Verdienstorden) Instituted 1807. Type VIII, 1915-1918 Issue. A circular medal constructed of silver, the obverse centre bears a crowned griffin holding a sword and a shield with the Baden flag on it, below is a cannon and three stacked cannon balls, the top is inscribed “FÜR BADENS EHRE” (FOR BADENS HONOR), the reverse centre is inscribed with “DEM TAPFEREN KLENZMANN” (THE BRAVE KLENZMANN), encompassed by a laurel wreath tied with a ribbon at the bottom, with an elongated suspension loop, with period original yellow and red striped ribbon, measuring 40.27 mm (w) x 43.90 mm (h), extremely fine; accompanied by red pebbled case with gilt embossed “F” and border, with push button clasp, the interior lid of cream-coloured fabric and medal bed of navy felt, measuring 60.05 mm (w) x 67.65 mm (h), some material fatigue on case, but otherwise very fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFootnote: Frank Zelosko; Fur Badens Ehre, Dritter Band: 1fd.Nr.616. Awarded to Klenzmann, Hermann, Ceremony on: 15.12.1917; Rank: Sergeant, born: 04.12.1894; Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 28\/3. Company, citation reads: \"Since the start of the War, at the front, during continuous fighting the regiment executed excellently, and he (Klenzmann) was wounded during the counter-attack on 20.09.1917 in Flanders.\" Entered \"only\" for the silver-medal-award of the Military Karl-Friedrich Merit-based, and iron cross I. class. Total of 1282 silver Military Merit Medals awarded during WWI, very scarce and very desirable award. *** Klenzmann, Hermann, Verleihung am:15.12.1917; Unteroffizier *04.12.1894. Ersatz-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 28\/3. Kompanie “Seit Beginn des Krieges an der Front, an allen Kämpfen des Regiments hervorragend beteiligt, wurde beim Gegenstoss am 20.09.1917 in Flandern verwundet.” Eingegeben “nur” zur silbernen Verdienstme-medaille- Verleihung der Militar-Karl-Friedrich Verdienstmedaille aufgrund Eisernem Kreuz I.Klasse.***\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46128244588821,"sku":"G45464","price":2565.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/ci19_2929_1.jpg?v=1692891486"},{"product_id":"baden-a-military-karl-friedrich-merit-order-i-class-knight-c1880-g16328rl1","title":"Baden. A Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order, I Class Knight, C.1880","description":"1807-1918 issue. (Militär Karl-Friedrich Orden Ritterkreuz). In gold and enamels, measuring 37mm, exhibiting only minor hairline cracks and enamel loss, a worn example, remains very fine. \n\nFootnote: (The following is a very good article on this particular cross, by Mr. Lorin E. Stapleton, appearing on the well known website dealing with German Imperial Orders (Medalnet.net), titled: A Most Unusual Early Grand Duchy of Baden Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order - Knight?s Cross): In May of 2006, the auction firm Morton \u0026amp; Eden Ltd. of London sold an offering of Orders and medals which had been part of the American Numismatic Society Collection. One such item was lot number 618, a Grand Duchy of Baden Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order Knight?s Cross, which attracted little serious attention amongst the other spectacular items which were offered. Unfortunately, no information regarding the means by which the American Numismatic Society obtained this particular item was available in the catalogue. The piece was probably dismissed as a modern \"copy\" by most prospective bidders, as it did not exactly match any of the known examples of Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order Knight?s Crosses. In the 1817 Almanach der Ritter=Orden by Friedrich Gottschalck is a plate with a faithful representation of how the Order was designed to appear. This work was published ten years after the Order was founded in 1807. The ex-American Numismatic Society piece has some distinct differences which are readily apparent when compared to the early illustration. The design variations would suggest that the piece was not made by a German jeweler under official contract by the Grand Duchy of Baden. The first feature that is strikingly apparent is that the ex-ANS piece has small spheres at the end points of the cross arms. This feature is noted on French Honor Legion Order pieces made after 1815. It should be noted that prior to this period, Honor Legion Order pieces did not have this feature. The small spheres were added to minimize the snagging of the arm tips on clothing, and to minimize chipping of the enamel of the Order if knocked against a hard object. This change was therefore made out of necessity to improve the \"wearability\" and durability of the Order. Another notable difference is that the ex-ANS piece has two plain red-enameled supports connecting the crown to the body of the cross, instead of continuations of the laurel-wreath branches to form supports for the crown. The red enamel is translucent over a hand-tooled guilloche pattern. This type of variation is also found on Honor Legion badges from various eras. The laurel-wreath branches do not appear at the ends of the horizontal cross arms on the ex-ANS piece. A third interesting feature of note is the fused grooved ribbon ring. This type of ribbon ring is consistent with examples found on early 19th Century Orders of French manufacture. The three design variations listed above point to the possibility of the piece having a French influence regarding design and manufacture. There are also other subtle design variations that make this piece unlike the \"official\" design. The laurel branches have no red berries, which is a feature that was faithfully included in all other existing representations of the Order that I have seen. Further, at the bottom of the medallion rings, there are floral ornamentations consisting of seven dots, two lozenges at the sides of these, and two dots at the outer sides of these. Two laurel sprays are usually found in this position on the medallion rings. The workmanship of the piece is also consistent with other Orders made in France (and other European countries) during the early 19th Century. On the obverse center, the translucent red enamel covers a hand-tooled horizontal guilloche pattern. The \"C F\" cipher was hand-applied in gold foil on top of the underlying enamel. This is a similar technique to the lettering applied to contemporary Prussian Pour le M?rite Orders. The crown is hinged so that it can swivel. Some of the features of the crown are hand-chased, as are features of the binding and laurel branches underneath the lower cross arm. The reverse center features a hand-tooled griffin in silver, separately applied to the center. Behind the griffin application, is translucent red enamel, over a circular hand-tooled guilloche pattern. The cross body is made of an alloy with a very high gold content. There are no hallmarks or maker?s marks found on this piece. The absence of hallmarks is not typical for a piece of French manufacture, but it does not exclude the possibility of French origin altogether. The cross is 37mm wide and 55mm high (excluding the ribbon ring). The cross weighs 15.0g. The ribbon that accompanied this piece is made of silk, is 33mm in width, and is of the proper colors and pattern. The ribbon is not from the early 19th Century however, and was manufactured at a later date (prior to 1918). This is apparent due to the fineness of the silk weave. Earlier ribbons usually had a coarser weave, as refinements in looms used in the manufacturing of ribbons did not allow for such quality until much later. It is therefore assumed that this ribbon was added to the piece at a later time than when it was manufactured. Such an addition could have been made by the recipient later in life, or by a collector. All of the factors regarding the design and manufacturing methods used for this piece, as noted above, are consistent with pieces of French origin from the early 19th Century. To explore the possibility of French origin further, we now examine the awards made to French recipients in the early 19th Century. A total of 30 awards were made from 1807 until 1812, when the Grand Duchy of Baden was part of the Confederation of the Rhine . There were four awards made in 1814, just prior to the Grand Duchy of Baden joining the German Confederation in 1815. Also, from 1815 until 1857, there were only three awards. In total therefore, there were only 37 awards of Knight?s Crosses to French Officers during this period. It should be noted, that Knight?s Cross awards to foreign officers (from non-German states) also included awards made to Austrian Officers (15), and to Russian Officers (36) during this period. However, analysis of the design features and workmanship of this piece, as noted above, make the possibility of Austrian or Russian origin unlikely. (Manufacturing of foreign Orders by early 19th century jewelers) - During the early 19th Century, an officer who was awarded an Order by a foreign government would possibly only receive a notification of such an award in the form of a letter and\/or a bestowal document. It was then up to the recipient to contact a local jeweler to contract to have a representation of the Order in question manufactured at their cost. The jeweler then had to either look in existing publications or pattern books to see what the Order was supposed to look like. Or, if no illustration was available, they had to rely on a written description. The jeweler would then use the methods and skills that they were familiar with in manufacturing the piece. Such a process would account for variations of design in surviving foreign-made Orders. In fact, each piece made under these circumstances was probably unique. In summary, this piece appears to have been made by a French jeweler, and to have been made in the early 19th Century. It was probably a piece contracted for manufacture by one of the 37 French recipients noted above. A piece such as this is almost certainly unique, and although it is technically a \"copy\", it is of historical significance.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46133185675541,"sku":"G16328.RL1","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/a_baden_military_54e76d366b096_1.jpg?v=1692904343"},{"product_id":"baden-grand-duchy-a-golden-chain-to-the-military-karl-friedrich-merit-order-museum-exhibition-example-g52347rl5","title":"Baden, Grand Duchy. A Golden Chain To The Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order, Museum Exhibition Example","description":"(Goldene Kett zum Militärisher Karl Friedrich-Verdienstorden, Museumsstück). A museum example of a Golden Chain to the Military Karl Friedrich Merit Order, constructed of gilded silver executed in the finest quality craftsmanship, consisting of 26 links joined together by dual loops, with 13 of the links consisting of monograms of Grand Duke Karl Friedrich, and with 13 of the links consisting of a medallions bearing a raised Baden griffin clutching a sword and shield overlaid by a Duchy emblem, one end with a reverse clip meeting a loop emanating from the opposite end for neck suspension, unmarked, the monogram links measuring approximately 32 mm (w) x 22 mm (h), the medallion links measuring approximately 21 mm in diameter, weighing 230 grams overall, with only minor tarnishing evident, a superb display piece in extremely fine condition.\n\n","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46135871930645,"sku":"G52347.RL5","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/l22_mnc0193_108_1_1_1_1_1.jpg?v=1734981329"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.emedals.com\/collections\/europe-germany-german-states-baden-military-karl-friedrich-merit-order.oembed","provider":"eMedals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}