Cased Bavarian 3rd Class Military Merit Cross by Deschler

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A Bayern Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit und Krone und Schwertern im Etui by Deschler & Sohn of München. The Bavarian Military Merit Cross was instituted on 22 December 1913 by King Ludwig III and was awarded to enlisted soldiers for acts of bravery and military merit (with swords). It is constructed out of a multi-piece die struck tombak base that has been bronze washed. The obverse separately soldered on roundel depicts a centrally placed stylized "L" (King Ludwig) below a king's crown on a smooth round backing which is surrounded by a bordered "Merenti" (Merit) to the top and an ornate belt to the bottom. The roundel is on top of a pebbled Maltese style cross that is below two crossed broad swords, a hollow king's crown and ring. The reverse separately soldered on roundel depicts a rampant lion which is surrounded by a bordered "1866" (institution date) to the top and an ornate belt to the bottom. The award measures 2 ½ inches tall by 1 5/8 inches wide. The award comes housed in its original case. The two piece case is constructed out of wood and pressed cardboard that is covered in a simulated maroon, pebbled, leather covering. The interior has a light blue paper/satin (with underlying pad) inlay to the interior. The obverse top features an impressed gilded "Bayr. M. V. Kr. 3. Kl. M. d. Kr." (Bayern Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit und Krone). To the interior is a blue and silver tag that reads: "Deschler & Sohn, München". The two lower interior edges have brown and been taped back together. The case measures approximately 2 1/8 inches wide by 4 1/8 inches long by ¾ of an inch thick. A great cased piece!