Royal Bulgarian Order of Military Merit - Classes from 1933 until 1945

[Kriegsmarine Admiral]

Hello,

 

I have some questions about the Royal Bulgarian Order of Military Merit. I would be really grateful if anyone could answer them.

 

1) Is the information regarding the Royal Bulgarian Order of Military Merit (especially the classes) that can be found on this website correct? https://bulgariandecorations.com/orders/order_of_military_merit

 

2) Is it correct, that in the period between 1933 and 1945 there were seven classes of this order (Grand Cross and six classes)?

 

3) In the photo below, is the breast star on the left the breast star of the 1st Class and the breast star on the right the Grand Cross class? And were these two classes awarded at the same time during WW2?

 

4) In 1937 a change was made to the order. The website above states the following: "A notable and very rare issue was minted in 1937, labelled ‘flat reverse issue’. It features a flat (single) reverse central medallion bearing an amended design of the Bulgarian lion and the inscription has been amended to include the name of the ex-king Ferdinand I – “ФЕРДИНАНДЪ I 2.VIII.1891” separated via two six-pointed stars."

Were there any changes to the classes or the names of the classes of the order in 1937? Or was the only change this other type of the order that was being made?

Because Borna Barac (see the 2nd photo below) doesn't list a Grand Cross class in 1937, just the 1st Class.

 

Thanks

[new world]

yes, info on Bulgarian Royal Decorations site is correct. In 1930-40s both Grand Cross and First class were awarded.

 

It seems Flat Reverse version didn't really impact Grand Cross, as it was given for only a few months. I have not seen any Grand Cross crosses with Flat Reverse.

There's actually a debate on whether Flat Reverse existed above 3rd class. Flat was only feature of the cross, and the cross was the same for 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes. You pair that cross with a star and it becomes a higher class.

[Kriegsmarine Admiral]

8 minutes ago, new world said:

yes, info on Bulgarian Royal Decorations site is correct. In 1930-40s both Grand Cross and First class were awarded.

 

It seems Flat Reverse version didn't really impact Grand Cross, as it was given for only a few months. I have not seen any Grand Cross crosses with Flat Reverse.

There's actually a debate on whether Flat Reverse existed above 3rd class. Flat was only feature of the cross, and the cross was the same for 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes. You pair that cross with a star and it becomes a higher class.

Thank you!

 

And what about the first photo I posted?

Is the breast star on the left the breast star of the 1st Class (with War Decoration) and the breast star on the right the Grand Cross class (with War Decoration)?

[new world]

3 minutes ago, Kriegsmarine Admiral said:

Thank you!

 

And what about the first photo I posted?

Is the breast star on the left the breast star of the 1st Class (with War Decoration) and the breast star on the right the Grand Cross class (with War Decoration)?

Star with smooth rays - 1st class
Star with diamond rays - Grand Cross

[new world]

Here's Grand Cross awarded in 1937 (when Flat Reverse version was introduced). As you can see reverse of the cross is not Flat.

 

[Kriegsmarine Admiral]

1 hour ago, new world said:

Here's Grand Cross awarded in 1937 (when Flat Reverse version was introduced). As you can see reverse of the cross is not Flat.

 

Indeed.

Thank you for sharing!

[Megan]

The difference between the Grand Cross star and the Class 1 star was that the Grand Cross one had gold rays as 4 of the 8 rays of the star.

 

Here's one I pinched from my website, sorry about the small size - the HQ images are on another computer! 1933-1937 emission.

 

[Graf]

On 19/02/2025 at 03:54, new world said:

yes, info on Bulgarian Royal Decorations site is correct. In 1930-40s both Grand Cross and First class were awarded.

 

It seems Flat Reverse version didn't really impact Grand Cross, as it was given for only a few months. I have not seen any Grand Cross crosses with Flat Reverse.

There's actually a debate on whether Flat Reverse existed above 3rd class. Flat was only feature of the cross, and the cross was the same for 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes. You pair that cross with a star and it becomes a higher class.

1937 Model with flat reverse

On 19/02/2025 at 04:04, Kriegsmarine Admiral said:

Thank you!

 

And what about the first photo I posted?

Is the breast star on the left the breast star of the 1st Class (with War Decoration) and the breast star on the right the Grand Cross class (with War Decoration)?

Yes

All classes were awarded during WW2 period including the Grand Cross and the 1st Class

[Graf]

6th Class with flat reverse

[Graf]

This is regency Model 1944-1945 after the death of Tzar Boris III

Edited March 2 by Graf

[Graf]

At the end of WW2, after Bulgaria switched, sides and went into war with Germany, a Republican model was created

with some changes to reflect the new situation. The order was given in the period of 1945-1947 and then it was revoked

Here is the 2nd and 3rd Classes.

 

[Graf]

Regency Period 1944-1945 3rd Class Cross Notice the ribbon is for the republican Period. I suspect it was awarded in the transitional period between the two periods