Swords: Silver Bavarian "Bound" Style 1

Although rather crudely stamped, these real silver swords on the war ribbon of the Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class or Military Merit Cross 2nd Class duplicate the "binding" that symbolically held the full-sized swords over the top arm of the actual Order/Cross.

Sometimes this Bavarian-specific device will be found on other awards, but it was normal only for their awards. I have seen gilt ones, but no bronze class ones. This was only a local fashion retail demaand, and not regulation required. Many bavarian MMO/MMC ribbons, especially after WW1, have the universal swords devices.

Indeed, in another Bavarian peculiarity, in quite a lot of cases, no swords at all were worn on this ribbon!!!