Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, IV Class Cross with Swords, by Weiss & Co.

(Militär-Verdienstorden, Kreuz IV Klasse mit Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1905-1918 issue). Constructed of silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with blue enameled arms joined through the quadrants by stylized flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a raised monogram of King Ludwig II, situated within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm riveted with a crossed sword clasp, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a raised Bavarian lion rampant, situated within a stylized white enameled belt and buckle bearing a silvered institution date of “1866” with arabesques, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an ornate arabesque suspension culminating in a loop retaining an original ribbon, the reverse of the suspension apparatus maker marked with the logo of Weiss & Co., Munich, with a silver content number of “950”, while the reverse of the sword clasp is maker marked with an additional Weiss & Co. logo, with a silver content number of “900”, measuring 39.90 mm (w) x 47.97 mm (h), weighing 29.1 grams, demonstrating minor flecking and surface scratching to the enamels, with a small chip to the enamels are the centre of the reverse institution date, in near extremely fine condition.