Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, II Class Military Merit Cross

(Militärverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. Military Division. In silver, a Maltese cross with pebbled fields, the obverse medallion in black enamel features the crowned cypher of King Ludwig II, surrounded by a white enamel ring inscribed MERENTI, the reverse presents a rampant lion with the date 1866 at the top, crossed swords atop the 12 o’clock arm, measures 43.1mm (w) x 51.2mm (h – inclusive of horizontally pierced integral ball), weighs 20.6 grams, worn on the correct original ribbon, enamels intact, areas of silver wear, in better than extremely fine condition.