Latvia. A Rare Unofficial Military Order of the Bear Slayer, Badge to No.3 Recipient, Latvian General Krišjānis Berķis, 1920

Instituted November 11, 1919. An unofficial, privately made decoration, likely presented to General Berkis by his fellow officers for stronger leadership, similiar to that of decorations presented to Austro-Hungarian and others leadership during the war. An extremely high quality decoration , n silver gilt and enamels, an extremely rare and possibly unique decoration to the Third recipient of the Order, a white and red cross with swords piercing the center, the obverse medallion depicts a handpainted man slaying a bear, the reverse with a central screwpost, the arms have been engraved No3 1920 K.B., and bears the boars head denoting French manufacture post 1838 and silver fineness, and French GA makers mark, measures 30.8 mm (w) x 30.9 mm (w), weighs 11 grams, including screwplate also marked with a boars head, enamels intact, minor crazing and cracks in the central medallion, remains extremely fine. 

Footnote:  Krišjānis Berķis (1884–1942) was a Latvian general who played a prominent role in the Latvian War of Independence and later served as Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian Army (1934–1940) and briefly as Minister of War. Following the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, he was arrested and deported to a Soviet labor camp, where he died in captivity in 1942.

Berķis distinguished himself through extensive military service in both the First World War and the Latvian War of Independence. Initially serving in the Imperial Russian Army, he commanded Finnish and later Latvian Riflemen units, participating in major engagements including the Battle of Jugla. During the Latvian War of Independence, he commanded the 2nd Cēsis Infantry Regiment and the 3rd Latgale Infantry Division, taking part in the battles against German forces, Bermont-Avalov's troops, and the liberation of Latgale. In recognition of his exceptional military service and bravery, he was awarded all three grades of the Order of the Bear Slayer (Lāčplēsis War Order), Latvia's highest military decoration.

The Order is Latvia's first Order, and it was considered the highest national military decoration until its suppression in 1940 during Latvia's occupation by the Soviet Union.It is also known as the Order of Lacplesis, as it was named after a Latvian war hero. The Order was primarily conferred to recognize acts of valour within the Latvian War for Independence by foreigners and Latvians. After Latvia gained independence in 1919, the Order continued to be awarded to foreign and Latvian military personnel who showed personal valour in war, and whose meritorious service helped develop Latvia's independence and glory.