Hungary, Kingdom. A Royal Hungarian Order of Merit, Grand Cross Set with Swords, to Generaloberst Johannes Friessner, 1944

(Magyar Érdemrend). Instituted in 1922. Offered is the Grand Cross Set, the sash badge featuring a large silver gilt white enameled cross with green bordering, obverse centre presenting a Patriarchal cross on a red enameled background with a surround of green laurels, reverse centre with gilt script and institution date 1922, with pierced swords in each quadrant, measuring 57.20 mm (w) x 62.7 mm (h - inclusive of laterally pierced ball suspension) weighing 53.57 grams, with full length military division sash, with pleasing toning, extremely fine and rare.

Accompanied by the Star of the Order, an eight point silver star with faceted rays, the insignia atop the star in silver gilt featuring a white enameled cross with green bordering, obverse centre presenting a Patriarchal cross on a red enameled background with a surround of green laurels, two swords pierce the center medallion with a laurel sprig below each handle, the reverse offers a single vertical pin, measures 88.7 mm (w) x 88.6 mm (h), weighs 80.27 grams, a notable enamel chip to the 3 o’clock arm, and areas of wear in the green border of the arms, lovely patina, a rare award in better than very fine condition. 

Footnote: Generaloberst Johannes Frießner (22 March 1892 – 26 June 1971) was a German senior army officer who served in both World Wars and rose to the rank of Colonel General (Generaloberst) in the Wehrmacht on 1 July 1944. 

Born in Chemnitz, Saxony, he entered the Saxon Army in 1911 and served primarily in staff appointments during the First World War, earning both classes of the Iron Cross. Remaining in military service during the interwar period, he held several training and staff positions before assuming field command during the Second World War. He commanded the 102nd Infantry Division, the XXIII Army Corps, and Army Detachment Narwa on the Eastern Front, before taking command of Army Group North and subsequently Army Group South Ukraine, later redesignated Army Group South. Unable to halt the Soviet offensive in Romania in the summer and autumn of 1944, he was relieved of command in December of that year. His German decorations included the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. 

On 25 October 1944, Frießner was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of Merit with the War Decoration and Swords, reflecting the military relationship between Germany and Hungary during the Second World War. Following Germany's defeat, he retired from military service and later published his memoirs, Verratene Schlachten (Betrayed Battles), in 1956. He died at Bad Reichenhall, West Germany, in 1971.