Waldeck-Pyrmont Merit Cross, Fourth Class with Swords

Waldeck-Pyrmont Merit Cross, Fourth Class with Swords. Unnamed as issued. A Maltese cross with swords between the arms. Obverse: A black enamel eight pointed star with a red cross on a white field in the centre. Reverse: The inscription 'FUR VERDIENST' (For Merit) on two lines within a circle on a gilt disc. The cross is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 31 mm white watered ribbon which has 2 mm yellow (inner), red (centre) and black (outer) edge stripes inset 1 mm.

Between 1896 to 1918 Waldeck had one decoration, known simply as the Verdienstkreuz, or Merit Cross (prior to this, there had been a house order known as the Merit Order (Verdienstorden) and a Military Merit Cross). The Merit Cross was established in four classes, with the 1st and 2nd Classes worn from the neck and the 3rd and 4th worn on the breast. A Silver Merit Medal, associated first with the Merit Order and then with the Merit Cross, dated from 1878, and a Golden Merit Medal followed in 1899. Also that year, an Honour Cross (Ehrenkreuz) was instituted, ranking between the 4th Class Merit Cross and the Golden Merit Medal. When awarded to military personnel, the Honour Cross was the highest award that a Waldeck non-commissioned officer could earn. In 1912 a pin-back Officer's Cross, ranking between the 2nd and 3rd Class Merit Crosses was added and after 1915 crossed swords indicated the award had been won in action. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.