Baltic Cross ("Baltenkreuz»)

An original and rather rare cross in excellent collectible condition. The cross is of an unusual design. The base of the cross is made of neusilber with subsequent blackening, the overlay with lilies is made of steel with subsequent bronzing and gilding. The shape of the cross is strongly curved at the factory. Very high-quality production. Guarantee of authenticity. The Baltic cross is made in the form of an equilateral straight (Greek) cross, similar to the cross from the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the German Teutonic Order. Guarantee of authenticity. 

The Baltic Cross (German: Baltenkreuz) is an award of the Weimar Republic. Established in 1919 by the Baltic National Committee (the political representation of the German population living on the shores of the Baltic Sea: Southern Livonia and Courland (now part of modern Lithuania and Latvia)). The award, which originally had the status of a commemorative badge, was established to reward members of the Baltic Landeswehr militia and volunteers of German origin who took part in the battles with the Red Army in the Baltic States in 1918-1919 for at least three months. The award ceremony began in July 1919. A total of 21,839 awards were made. According to the supplement to the "Law on Titles, Orders and State Awards" of 07.04.1933, approved on 15.05.1934 (RGBl. I, № 52 v. 16.05.1934, p. 379), as well as on the basis of the Order of 16.11.1935 (RGBl. I, № 127 v. 16.11.1935, p. 1341ff.) on the entry into force of this Supplement, the Baltic Cross was equated with the state awards of the Third Reich and was allowed to be worn by veterans of the Freikorps. In the post-war period, in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Federal Law of the Federal Republic of Germany "On Titles, Orders and Honorary Badges" (§ 6). 1 No. 1 of the Law on Titles, Orders and Regalia / Ordensgesetz of 26. July 1957/BGBl. I, No. 37 until 05.08.1957, pp. 844-847), the Baltic Cross was equated with the state awards of the Federal Republic of Germany and allowed to be worn along with another Freikorp award — the Silesian Badge of Merit. The award of the Baltic Cross was accompanied by a corresponding entry in the Soldier's Book.