Intriguing question about Military Merit Crosses

[cimbineus]

Gents,

Some time ago I noticed that the wreath between the cross arms consists of two layers. Why? What is the rationale behind? It is obvious that this technique makes the production even more complicated and more costly. So, why then? Sometimes the two layers are soldered so perfectly that it is simply impossible to detect this interesting feature. I would appreciate any ideas or explanations.

Here are some examples.

Many thanks in advance.

Regards

cimbineus

[Gordon Craig]

cimbineus,

Interesting question.  I'll have to dig through my collection and check out my crosses.

Regards,

Gordon

 

[dond]

Perhaps it was to convert existing peace time awards into wartime awards.

[cimbineus]

Dear dond,

Thank you for this clue. It is interesting, however, I think it may not be the reason for this seemingly overcomplicated production. My arguments:

- The basic part of the wreath and the cross-arms made from one piece. This suggests that they originally also meant to be "war" decorations, since the "peace" crosses have no wreath at all in between the cross-arms.

- The number of these double-layered pieces represents the majority in my collection, if not all of "war" Merit Crosses, which suggests me that the reason for this must be somewhere else.

One more observation. Some of these additional layers are gold plated, some not, but some even enamelled, just to complicate the picture even more.

Here is one more picture, where we can clearly see the added upper layers on the wreaths.

Regards,

cimbineus

Edited January 5, 2017 by cimbineus

[Iver]

....I would say its because befor the war was the KD (Upper Layer) made of gold, but the Cross alone from Silver, so the lower part was strucked together with cross and there upper (gold) part of wreath then added.... During the War were "old" dies used - with place for layer of gold

 

Edited January 14, 2017 by Iver