Bavaria What do you know about Bavarian MVOs and MVKs

[dond]

Lets see some MVOs.

Here is mine.

Don

[dond]

the reverse. These are really beautiful awards.

[dond]

The case.

[Stogieman]

Here's a rare bird. The Military Merit Cross of The Military Merit Order. As awarded to "other ranks" between 1866 and 1905. Note the lack of flames between the arms! Silver, enamel and gold center schiffers. Stunning. Rare. Probably under 500 awarded... ever. Note the correct "statute ribbon" as proscribed prior to 1913 and the institution of the "War Ribbon". Swords were awarded to these after the fact and the recipient had to purchase them himself!

[Stogieman]

Sigh, doesn't seem to want to accept my images?????

[Guest Rick Research]

For me, the crosses made by Jakob Leser with real gold centers and the crown pierced are the most beautiful.

[Guest Rick Research]

Gebr?der Hemmerle made Orders just don't have the same "sparkle," especially at the end of the war with centers only gilt.

[Guest Rick Research]

Weiss & Co made Orders were CAST (yes, CAST) and finished with dappled flames and icky visible file marks on the edges of the arms.

This particular piece is a weird numismatic "mule" as will be made even more apparent by the reverse. It is entirely in frosted and polished silver without any gilt at all. I only know of two others like this one, so wonder if it was actually made after 1918 as a late award.

[Guest Rick Research]

In place of the CORRECT enamelled reverse "hubcap" as shown in Don's example above, this Weiss mutation is entirely frosted silver. It is NOT an incorrect repair using the reverse of a MMC2-- this is the same real silver frosted and polished as the rest of this bizarre Weiss-made piece.

[dond]

Hi Rick, nice to see you here. Nice post. Those awards run the spread of qualitity control. It is a shame how quality and I think respect for awards suffered as the war dragged on. You see it in the TR stuff too. And we won't even bring up '57 stuff, eeeewwwww.

Don

[Stogieman]

Perhaps my "Twin" can work his magic with the images of my Model 1866-1905 and post them for me??

[Guest Rick Research]

No magic powers, only number of posts posted privileges.

Stogie's M1866 Merit Cross of the MMO, the very nice enlisted version in full enamel

Obverse:

[Guest Rick Research]

Stogie's Reverse:

[Stogieman]

A superb little cross, in real silver, with real gold centers. Last one actually awarded ~ca. 1901 for China. Swords were an "after the fact" authorization and the recipient had to go out and private purchase his swords, if he desired. After 1905, the design was officially changed to the commonly seen non-enameled versions for "other ranks".

These included:

Third Class, in copper plate

Second Class, in silver plate

First Class, in gold plate

Awarded for "military merit" on the statute ribbon as shown above between 1905 and 1913. This version is difficult to find (no swords). A crown suspension indicated subsequent award/higher degree of the same class.

From 1913 on, with the advent of WW2, military bravery awards were signified by the addition of (official) swords on the suspension fillagre. Again, crowns were utilized to show a higher degree/subsequent award of the same class. The statutes stated that only one class could be worn. Bavaria was somewhat of a stickler regarding this.... they required a return of the prior award before they would release the subsequent one! I believe RR actually has one of these "demand" documents in his collection.

Despite these rules, during the "anything goes" 1920's... bars can be found with 2 versions of the same class mounted. I would advise caution when presented with this as it seems there's quite a few bad ones floating about.

Cheers!

[Bob Hunter]

Very interesting thread. Thanks to dos Rickies! :food-smiley-004:

[Mike Huxley]

Just to add to this thread, if I may dond.

My BMVO3x ... in it's case

Obverse.

[Mike Huxley]

Now the reverse.

[Mike Huxley]

Last of all a shot of the correct and rare case for this award.

[dond]

Nice award. What is the difference between the 3rd and 4th classes?

Don

[Mike Huxley]

Hi Don, The BMVO4, which was made in silver/enamel was awarded to junior Officer ranks, Leutnant and Hauptmann. The BMVO3 was for higher ranks and was gilded silver/enamel. I am sure Rich Research will be able to provide the exact amounts of these Officer grade awards. All I can say is, Im more than happy to own this beauty.

Edited May 30, 2005 by Mike Huxley

[Stogieman]

....... the only 3.kl. I ever handled. A rare bird!

[Mike Huxley]

Stogie, it now has a safe and loving home

Rick R, my salty Jacob Lesser in original case .... I guess this one was on a bar originally and I agree with you, fantastic quality made award ... the best of the bunch.

Obverse shot.

[Mike Huxley]

Now the reverse, showing the damage to the arms through being mounted on a bar.

[Mike Huxley]

The case with its correct markings

[Stogieman]

Whether chipped or flawless, this is still one of Imperial Germany's most appealing orders to me. I love them all!