Order of Military Merit for Officers, with swords, Bavaria

The original badge of the order is in excellent collector's condition. 900 silver, enamel. On the front side of the central medallion, on a black enameled background, there is a gilded monogram «L» (in honor of the founder of the order of King Ludwig II), as well as the word «MERENTI» (from lat. "Worthy"), written in gold letters around the circumference of the white ring that framed the central medallion. On the black enameled reverse there is a golden Bavarian lion and the date of the award's establishment "1866" in a white ring. The order is on the original ribbon. Guarantee of authenticity. 

The Order "For Military Merit" (German: Militdrverdienstorden) was established on July 19, 1866 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The Order was considered the main award of the kingdom for bravery and military merit and was awarded to officers and high-ranking officials. Civilians who rendered service to the army could also be presented with this award. The order was in the form of a Maltese cross, covered with blue enamel, with a medallion located in the center. Between the rays of the cross in the main degrees of the order (after 1905 — in all degrees), a golden flame was displayed (after 1905, in the awards of the 4th class, the color of the flame was changed to silver). Different degrees of the order differed in their sizes and rules of wearing: on a neck ribbon, shoulder or chest ribbon.