Miniature crimson-enamelled Maltese cross, with crossed swords between the arms, on scroll and laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a central circular crimson enamelled medallion bearing the crowned Bulgarian lion rampant within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters ‘?? ?????????’ (for Bravery) and dated ‘1912’ at the base; the reverse plain; diameter 17.22mm (0.68 inch); on original trifold ribbon. The Order for Bravery was instituted on 1 January 1880 (although the date of its foundation was 29 April 1879) for those who had distinguished themselves in the War of Liberation (1877-1878) and to encourage future acts of bravery in the face of the enemy. The 4th class of the order was awarded to junior officers. 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 and that the date ‘1912’ appears often on miniatures but never on full-size insignia. A good period miniature.
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