Sweden, Kingdom. An Order Of The Sword, Ii Class Commander, C.1920

(Kungliga Svärdsorden). Instituted by King Frederick I of Sweden on 23 February 1748. A silver gilt decoration comprising a four armed white enamelled Maltese Cross with small ball finials and a large crown in each quadrant, blue enamel crossed swords are present at 6 and 12 o’clock and single downward pointing swords are connected to edge of the white enamel arms at 3 and 9 o’clock, a thin silver wire wraps around the swords and arms of the cross, the obverse center in Gold presents a blue enamel field with three crowns and an upward pointing crown in silver gilt, the reverse center in Gold presents a blue enamel field with an sword piercing through a wreath and the inscription PRO PATRIA (For the Fatherland) above, the badge is surmounted by a large crown, measures 55.13mm (w) x 79.85mm (h – inclusive of surmounting crown and cross adorned horizontally pierced integral ball), weighs 38.7 grams (excluding ribbon), worn on a segment of replacement ribbon, enamel cracks on white enamel arms, heavy blue enamel loss on swords, dark patina, scattered gilt wear, better than fine condition.

Footnote: This Order was founded by King Frederick I in 1748. It is still technically a Swedish Order, but it has not been awarded since 1975. It was conferred upon Swedish military personnel for long and meritorious service. At the time of its creation the Order was composed of only two grades, the I Class Commander and the I Class Knight. The Commander Grand Cross was created in 1772, the II Class Commander was created in 1873, and the II Class Knight was created in 1889. In 1788 King Gustav III created a wartime grade, the I Class Knight Grand Cross, which was conferred upon senior Officers for distinguished actions in victory. In 1814, a second wartime grade, the II Class Knight Grand Cross, was created. In 1952 the War Cross of the Sword was the final grade added to the Order. It was awarded in gold, silver, and bronze to Swedish military personnel for meritorious war service.