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Grand Duchies of the German Empire (Deutsches Reich) |
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| Baden | Hessen | Mecklenburg Schwerin | Mecklenburg Strelitz | Oldenburg | Saxe Weimar Eisenach |
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Order of the Wendish Crown |
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The Order of the Wendish
(or Wendian) Crown was the highest decoration of the Mecklenburg grand
duchies, awarded by both Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
It was jointly established on May 12, 1864 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Wendish Crown served as the house order for both houses, and came in four classes -
There were also Gold and Silver Merit Crosses affiliated with the order. <<< Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz) |
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Officer's Cross & Knight's Cross of the Order of the Griffin |
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| MILITARY MERIT CROSS 1st CLASS - MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN. An Iron Cross 1st Class equivalent from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. It has a fine gilt finish which shows a patina of age. It is a non vaulted example hallmarked for Charles Meybauer. | WAR SERVICE CROSS 2nd CLASS MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN. The War Service Cross 2nd Class, while considered an Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalent, was different in many ways and not just in general appearance. Like the EK 2 it was awarded with a ribbon. It was different from the EK 2 in that it had a gilt finish, not an iron center with a silver frame. |
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The reverse of the medal above, the War Service Cross 2nd Class |
| THIRD CLASS NINE YEAR LONG SERVICE CROSS FOR ENLISTED MEN MECKLENBURG-SCHWERIN. A scarce Third Class Service Cross for nine years service in the Army of Mecklenburg-Schwerin for an enlisted man. This bronze-toned cross has the cypher of Franz Friedrich of Mecklenburg- Schwerin on one side and the Roman numerals IX on the other. A crisp looking ribbon in yellow, light blue, and magenta. |
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The Cross 1st Class for
Distinction in War was established on January 1, 1915 as a higher class
of the Cross for Distinction in War (there had been no 1st Class of the
Franco-Prussian War version).
Like the Iron Cross 1st Class, it was a pinback cross awarded without regard to rank. It was awarded for "repeated acts of outstanding bravery before the enemy" ("wiederholte hervorragende Tapferkeit vor dem Feinde"). |
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Cross for Distinction in War, "Brave and Loyal". Combatants ribbon left, non combatants ribbon right |
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House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis |
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| HOUSE AND SERVICE ORDER DUKE PETER FRIEDRICH LUDWIG OFFICERS CROSS - OLDENBURG. This is a wonderful pinback officer’s decoration from the Duchy of Oldenburg. The House and Service Order Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig Officers Cross was first authorized in 1903. It consists of a white enameled cross, somewhat larger than an Iron Cross 1st Class, with a multicolored enamel center. This decoration was issued until 1914 and the beginning of WW I, at which time crossed swords through the center were added for military combatants. | FRIEDRICH
AUGUST CROSS 1st CLASS - OLDENBURG.
This decoration is the Iron Cross 1st Class equivalent from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. It has a solid black exterior. |
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| FRIEDRICH AUGUST CROSS 2nd CLASS - OLDENBURG. This is the Friedrich August Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. The FA 2nd Class was an Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalent. The ribbon clasp indicates that the award was won "in the presence of the enemy". | HONOR CROSS 2nd CLASS - OLDENBURG. This is a very fine example of the Honor Cross 2nd Class from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. This example is made of silver. |
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| FRIEDRICH AUGUST CROSS 2nd CLASS - OLDENBURG. This is the Iron Cross 2nd Class equivalent from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. It is a black cross suspended from a blue and red ribbon. |
War Merit Medal |
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The class awarded generally depended on the rank of the recipient. The Knight 2nd Class typically went to captains and lieutenants, and the Knight 1st Class to majors and lieutenant colonels. There were also Golden and Silver Merit Crosses affiliated with the order. |
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Knight First Class with Swords |
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| ORDER OF THE WHITE FALCON KNIGHTS CROSS 2nd CLASS - SAXE - WEIMAR. The obverse of this decoration has striking green enameled arms with red centers between each arm. The center of the cross has a white enameled falcon with gold cross hatching on the chest. The reverse of the cross has white enameled arms with a blue and gold center. The trim is silver, which denotes the 2nd class level of the award. Topping the cross is an articulated silver crown to which a beautiful red silk ribbon is attached. | |
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| SILVER SERVICE CROSS OF THE WHITE FALCON - SAXE WEIMAR. This cross is a part of the White Falcon family of decorations from the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar. It is actually the lowest level of the White Falcon awards. It is a silver cross that comes complete with a correct red ribbon. | SAXE-WEIMAR. MILITARY MERIT MEDAL WITH CLASP AND SWORDS SET UP AS A ONE PLACE MEDAL BAR - A first-rate example of the Military Merit Medal from Saxe-Weimar with Swords in a clasp format. Spread on the original ribbon to appear as a Medal Bar. |
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| General Honor Decoration with Swords, in silver | General Honor Decoration with Swords, in bronze | ||
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Duke Wilhelm Ernst founded the Wilhelm Ernst War Cross as a one-class
pinback decoration on June 10, 1915.
It was awarded without regard to rank, but otherwise had strict requirements: the recipient must have been a native of the grand duchy or have served in IR94 and must have already received the Iron Cross 1st Class. |
