Frankfurt, Free City. A Rare Honour Cross for Enlisted Men and NCOs at Fulda, by Heinrich P. Schott

(Ehrenkreuz für treugebliebene Freiwillige Offiziere des 2. Landwehrbataillons). Instituted 9 September 1814 by Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss-Greiz. (1814-1815 issue). Constructed of gilded copper, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse three and nine o'clock arm bearing engraved with initials "G.G.F." (General-Gouvernement Frankfurt), the six o’clock arm bearing a date of “1814”, the twelve o’clock arm bearing an inscription of “FULDA”, the reverse bearing initials “M.G.F.D.V.” (Mit Gott für Deutsches Vaterland/With God for the German Fatherland), the six o’clock arm bearing a date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an eyelet connecting to a suspension ring with a period but mis-matched ribbon, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Heinrich P. Schott, Frankfurt, measuring 26.05 mm (w) x 30.22 mm (h), weighing 5.2 grams (inclusive of ribbon), a rare and striking example of an award commonly known as a Fulda Cross in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Following the war against Napoleonic France, the 2nd Landwehr Battalion (Fulda) was expanded from four to six companies, but a lack of commensurate food and accommodations for the men of the unit incited widespread discontent. A mass desertion of 400 men followed, who marched on Fulda in an armed mutiny. However, approximately 43 Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), 136 Enlisted men, and a smaller number of Officers remained loyal, and the revolt was crushed on 5 August 1814. Prince Heinrich XIII of Reuss-Greiz, then Governer General of Frankfurt, commissioned a pair of awards for those who remained loyal subjects, with a gilded silver version for Officers and gilded copper version for NCOs and Enlisted men. The award offered here, which is a quintessential version of the latter, is a rare distinction with only 179 known to have been issued, with just 25 accounted for today.