Miniature crimson-enamelled Urdy cross, with crossed swords between the arms, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central crimson enamel medallion bearing the gilt monogram ‘?I’ for Ferdinand I, institutor of the Order within a white enamel ring inscribed in worn gilt letters ‘?? ?????????? ???????’ (for Civil Merit); the reverse medallion now absent; diameter 16.58mm (0.65 inch); wear and slight loss of white enamel to the ring of the face; on original triangular ribbon of the Order for Bravery, denoting a wartime issue made between April 1917 and October 1918. The order was founded by a Knyaz (Princely) Order dated 18 May 1900 ‘as a sign of particular recognition to our brave army’ and was an extension of the Order for Civil Merit to the military. The Order had six classes and the example here, the 5th class, was awarded to company and section commanders up to the rank of Captain. This particular type was current from November 1916 to October 1918. Professor Petko Pavlov points out (Bulgarian Orders and Medals, Sofia, 2002, p.12) that full-size insignia were supplied with corresponding miniatures for everyday use but that the inscriptions on the two do not always correspond. Please note the reverse central medallion is now absent. The Order is rare in miniature.
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