Swords: Gold Bavarian 01

Be aware that VERY often Bavarian Military Merit Cross swords which should actually be BRONZE have GOLD devices on ribbon bars. Gold swords belonged either to Lieutnant Colonels (Military Merit Order 3rd Class) or to wartime Warrant Officers (Feldwebelleutnants and that category of officials) who should have appropriate jubilee and long service awards. Otherwise, what we have is fashion misrepresentation.

This is actually indeed a Military Merit Cross 1st Class on M1913 frontline ribbon to a Bavarian Feldwebelleutnant-- as the next scan will confirm.