Imperial awards i.d.

[Wartime Collectables]

Here is an original MEZ1:
[ATTACH]4278857[/ATTACH]

Is it Wagner marked? Is the ribbon the same for Gold cross?
Thanks again for sharing the knowledge!

[VtwinVince]

There is a lot of confusion about the MEZ1 and the Militaer-Verdienstkreuz of WW1, often referred to as the Golden Military Merit Cross. This is a misnomer based on the fact that these were gilded silver, but officially they were just 'Military Merit Cross', also known as the PLM for NCO's and enlisted men. This decoration morphed from the earlier Award for Military Merit which was awarded during the wars of unification and the colonial period. It was also awarded in a second class, oval medal. The first class cross was identical to the later Militaer-Verdienstkreuz. All of these were awarded on the Prussian 'war ribbon', like the EK2.

[Gary B]

Andrew,

Streptile and ME-109 have provided the best/most accurate information on this last piece. After reading both their posts I recall reading about the one medal morphing into the other. Forgetting so much these days!


Gary B