Latvia. An Unofficial Military Order of the Bear Slayer, Engraved to Latvian General Krišjānis Berķis

Instituted November 11, 1919, this is an unofficial, privately made decoration. Unlike official awards, it features a screw-back device on the reverse, measures 30.8 mm x 30.9 mm, and weighs 11 grams. It is considerably smaller and more slender than the official Third Class cross.

The cross features a multi-piece construction in gilded silver and enamels, with a white and red cross pierced by swords through the center. The obverse medallion depicts a hand-painted scene of a man slaying a bear. Overall, the piece exhibits very fine manufacturing quality.

The upper arm of the reverse is stamped with a boar's head hallmark denoting French silver manufacture post-1838. Directly adjacent is the maker's mark "GA" with a walking wolf facing left (un loup passant, tête à gauche) between the initials, identifying the Paris-based French maker Georges Aucoc, a well known maker of French orders and insignia. The reverse retaining screwplate is also marked with a boar's head. All three marks are crisp and stamped, suggesting the cross was manufactured circa 1930.

The reverse arms are engraved "No3 1920 K.B.", indicating the cross was intended for General Krišjānis Berķis. Since the General was awarded all three classes of the order, this cross may have been created as a token of appreciation from fellow officers, as was a custom in the Austro-Hungarian army, among others. It is also possible the cross was ordered by an unknown Latvian organization or individual to be given to General Berķis.

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.