new world

I think that's most likely case, private make.

Is it for sale? How much? I would definitely buy it, that's unusual award.

I checked both Pavlov and Petrov books - this cross is not pictured in either one.

Markus,

Enamel work looks great!

How much does Barry charge for restoration?

It looks like it's the same cross as in the book. How does the book describe this cross?

Another argument agains this one being officer cross - surface on the rays is smooth, while on all officer crosses surface has some sort of texture under red enamel.

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2. Officer 4-th Class without the ename- either lost or not yet added to the Cross ( the Cross is in a "raw" stage)

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Enamel was added to each part separately (red enamel to the cross and center, white to the circle), on both sides and then parts were put together. This cross is already assembled, it would be impossible to add enamels to it now.

An officer's order which has lost all the enamels, maybe?

Unlikely. Officer grade crosses were made from bronze, this cross seems to be made from some sort of white metal.

I've never seen one like it.

Quality is much higher than typical soldier crosses. Perhaps this is privately / jeweler made award?

I never wanted to resurrect an old topic, but I need a little history lesson here. Why a nazi officer is wearing one of these?

He must have been awarded one before Germany occupied Yugoslavia (pre spring 1941).

It was difficult transitional period, there could be all kinds of circumstances.

Af for awarding orders without crown to Soviet Generals - they definitely awarded both with and without crown. Here's photo with 2 Soviet generals, they wear St Alexander orders with crown and swords (1st class and 3rd class).

Colonel-General Biryuzov is in the center and wears 1st class.

reverse

Here's one from a private collection.

It's on a bow, hence it's 1st class for ladies, however this is tha same as 4 class. As you can see - gilded cross without crown. This if from 1944 and later period.

This is transitional award. In my opinion the crown was probably removed when monarchy ended. It's possible it was meant to be awarded with a wreath, but they didn't have wreath in stock and made one without. We will never know whether crown was removed at the workshop or by recipient.

Perhaps this is not official piece, but they are definitely out there.

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Here i am listing the all Emmissions of the Officer Class of Bulgaria Order for Civil Merit

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I think you are missing Regent emission 4 cl without crown...

Nice pair!

I am still looking for Type 2 with Princely crown to add to my collection. Yes, acorns are different, as they were also stamped flat and hand finished on Type 1.

Another interesting difference between 2 types - 5th and 6th classes of Type 1 were without crown only, crown was added from about year 1900 to Type 2.

Comparing Type 1 and Type 2.

Graf,

Thanks for posting pics.

It gets even more interesting. For First Ferdinand emission (with princely crown) there were actually two types, different by finish on the reverse to gold-plated leaves:

1) Type 1 - with flat reverse, detailes are hand engraved. From 1891 to 1900

2) Type 2 - with stamped leaves reverse, no hand finishing, leaves detailes are stamped, with 3-D like effect. From 1900 to 1908

Both of your 4th and 5th classes are of 2nd Type of Knyaz' Ferdinand iissue.

Attached is pic of Type 1 - note hand finishing.

Graf,

Very nice collection!

Can you post detailed pic of the reverse of the knyaz' period cross (pre 1908, with princely crown)?

Graf,

Thank you for posting interesting award documents for Soldier Bravery cross!

But your documents do not prove that Soldier class Bravery crosses with 1941 were awarded. The only thing they confirm is the fact that German soldiers were decorated with Bulgarian Soldiers Bravery crosses after 1941, but that is known fact, there were hundreds if not thousands instances of such awardings. All known recepients were gived cross with 1915 date.

The trick is to prove the claim that some of the awards were with badged with 1941 date, and that proof remains to be seen.

Best,

William

No one knows for sure how many were minted.

Several years ago (around 2007-2008) Bulgarian mint sold some non-awarded orders and medals, inlcuding several Botev Prize medals. I managed to buy one, that dealer probably got few pieces as well.

Group shot 2

Group shot 1

4th class 2nd grade

4th class 1st grade

3rd class 2nd grade

Bravery orders with "1941" from my collection.

3rd class 1st grade