Oldenburg, Grand Duchy. A Rare House Order of Peter Friedrich Ludwig, Officer’s Cross with Swords on Ring, by Bernhard Knauer

(Oldenburger Haus-und Verdienstorden Offizierskreuz mit Schwertern am Ring). Instituted 27 November 1838 by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August. (1903-1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse with white enameled arms, overlaid by a central blue enameled medallion bearing a raised and gilded monogram of Grand Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, surrounded by a red enameled ring bearing a gilt inscription of “EIN GOTT, EIN RECHT, EINE WAHRHEIT” (“ONE GOD, ONE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ONE TRUTH”), in turn surrounded by dual gilded rings, the twelve o’clock arm topped by a pair of crossed swords similarly executed in gilded silver, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a rounded catch, the reverse of the pinback bearing a maker’s mark of “B. KNAUER” for the firm of Oldenburg court jeweller Bernhard Knauer, the cross measuring 44.80 mm (w) x 44.54 mm (h), the swords measuring 29.09 mm (w) x 11.92 mm (h), weighing 19.3 grams overall, a rare and striking wartime example produced c. 1916, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: An exceptionally rare award, the Officer’s Cross with Swords on Ring was awarded only five times.