The Württemberg Wilhelmskreuz

[Rick Research]

This cross-- a nicely made if overly large patina'd bronze cross in second from left/bottom on this Frackspange, was instituted on 13 September 1915 for war merit by military personnel not at the front (with swords) and civilian contributions to the public welfare, particularly in volunteer war work (no swords).

There was a pinback class with swords and crown, awarded only 108 times.

With Swords-- 5,329
No Swords-- 1,943

The crosses without swords did not bear the center inscription "Kriegsverdienst," indicating that that version may have been intended for post-war "public welfare" awards.

[Mike Dunn]

Rick, Interesting medal bar. Is this one of yours? Mike

[stogieman]

Wilhelm's Kreuz, obverse

Obverse of this somewhat unusual award:

[stogieman]

Reverse of same

And the reverse. This one has Kriegs-Verdienst, civil awards are smooth-backed.

[stogieman]

And the case, of course!

Of course, we must see the case as well!

[stogieman]

And, no swords

Here's the no-swords variety, courtesy of Jorg Kalies, Hamburg, Germany

[Rick Research]

Yup, one of my medal bars, also posted under the Saxon War Merit Cross thread. This is one of those can't ID the owner/strange combinations that makes me crazy.

Looking through the Intendants' Honor Rank List, XIII Army Corps only at this point, I find awards to Beamten with noncombatant awards only (EK2 on "white-black" ribbon) about the same as to officials with frontline EKs and things like the Friedrichs Order with Swords-- 14 "rear" to 12 "front."

Now an interesting thing jumped out at me with these Württemberg awards-- OLDER officials got them: YOUNGER ones got the Merit Cross with Swords. Out of all the MCX awards--12 of them-- 11 joined the army 1908 or later, and the sole exception joined in 1894.

There is nothing in the statutes limiting the Wilhelmskreuz BY RANK-- indeed, it sounds as if it was intended for ALL ranks-- and yet in practice, it seems to have gone to more senior recipients!

[Klaus O.]

Medal bar with a Wilhelmkreuz

Herewith I am posting a wonderful medal bar with a Wilhelmskreuz, which was offered by Hermann Historica Auctionhouse this spring.

Here's the description of the bar:

Elfteilige Ordensspange eines Oberbaurats im württembergischen Kriegsministerium
Eisernes Kreuz 1914, 2.Klasse am weiß/schwarzen Band (OEK 1909); Württemberg, Wilhelmskreuz mit Schwertern, Bronze (OEK 3078); Orden der Württembergischen Krone, Ritterkreuz, Gold, emailliert (OEK 2938); Friedrichs-Orden, Ritterkreuz 1.Klasse, Gold, emailliert (OEK 2980); Dienstauszeichnung 1.Klasse, Kreuz für Offiziere und Mannschaften nach 25 Jahren 1891-1921, Bronze, emailliert (OEK 3089); Landwehrdienstauszeichnung, Medaille 2.Klasse 1913-1921, Bronze (OEK 3109; Preussen, Roter-Adler-Orden, Kreuz 4.Klasse, Silber, emailliert (OEK 1704); Kronen-Orden, Kreuz 3.Klasse, Gold, emailliert (OEK 1757); Bayern, Militärverdienstorden 3.Klasse mit Schwertern, am Beamtenband, Gold, emailliert (OEK 406); Oldenburg, Friedrich-August-Kreuz 1914, 2.Klasse, Eisen, geschwärzt (OEK 1563); Preussen, Centenar-Medaille 1897, Bronze (OEK 1965). Schön genähte Spange in Bogenbandausführung (farbfrische saubere Bänder) in schwarzem Luxuslederetui, gefüttert mit roter Seide und Samt, 10,5 x 26 cm, einliegend Zettel mit Verleihungsdaten der Auszeichnungen. Dazu vom gleichen Träger bulgarischer St.Alexander-Orden, Kommandeurskreuz mit Krone und Schwertern am Ring, Silber, vergoldet, emailliert.

Here's the picture:



Enjoy!

Ciao,

Claudio

[Daniel Krause]

Whow!

Impressive and interesting medal bar with quite rare awards!
Do You know at what price it jumped?

Best regards

Daniel

[Dave Danner]

Started at 3900 euros, went for 4600. The bar belonged to a Geheimer Oberbaurat von Glocker. Among other things, he built Württemberg's NCO academy. The lot also included this:

[JensF.]

Brought up this thread due this recent acquisition.
A nice bronze Wilhelmskreuz mit Schwertern in a great condition.

[JensF.]

Back:

[McCulloh]

one in wear 1/1/1944

noncom ek2 and cross in question: 1/1/1944

[McCulloh]

noncom ek2 and cross in question: 1/1/1944

a close up....

[Gerd Becker]

Nice.

Hi all,

imo the Wilhelmskreuz is one of the nicer "simple" decorations out there.

Hey Jens, where do you get such beautiful things?

regards,

Gerd