Rosette & Swords: Bulgarian Military Merit Order

This is a closeup from a ribbon bar which belonged to KOnetradmiral zS Hans-Joachim Gadow (1898-1978).

The "french" style rosette on statute ribbon of the Bulgarian Military Merit Order was normally given, as is the case here, for peacetime merit. Although this Order could be awarded on this ribbon rather than the generic pale blue with silver metallic edge stripes "bravery" awards ribbon, the swords were ALWAYS present on this order and do NOT indicate combat action.

Gadow was anecxcentric dresser. For "reasons" best known only to himself, he continued to wear--in completion violation of regulations-- the ribbon of an obscure Freikorps award, and also was among the minority of naval admirers of the South German style double-folded ribbons ribbon bars... from time to time.

Courtsey of Stogieman.