Bavrian Military Metit Cross - Secret Compartment?

[David M.]

On my Bavarian Military Merit Cross, 3rd Class w/Swords, the center circle with the "L" and the word "Merenti" lifts out of the medal revealing a compartment. There is a pin coming from the inside of the compartment to hold the center piece in place. The compartment is about the size of the center circle across and about 1/8" or 3/16" deep.

Is this a common feature? I could not find any information anywhere about the BMMC that referenced this feature. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Short backround on the medal. I received it in the 1980's from my uncle who was an Army MP on occupation duty in Germany 1945/1946. Uncle cliamed to have traded cigarettes, C-Rations, etc. to Germans for the medal as well as other badges and trinkets. So, other than the German who gave it to my uncle the medal has only had two verifiable owners since the late 1940's, my uncle and myself.

Thanks

[Element7]

Got any pictures?

[Don D.]

That is not a secret compartment. That is the way they were constructed. Two end pieces attached to a cylinder. Usually they were held together with a waxy substance or a pin.

[David M.]

Don D. thank you. Seems like a strange way to make a medal instead of just castining a solid piece but what do I know? I'm not in the medal making business.

[Don D.]

The center pieces were made of gold on the early pieces and the cylinder was silver gilt.

[gmu]

Don D. thank you. Seems like a strange way to make a medal instead of just castining a solid piece but what do I know? I'm not in the medal making business.

Solid = more material needed than hollow = more expensive, especially when gold was used.