Miniature gilt bronze Leopold cross with ball finials at the centre of the ends of each arm, the fields of the arms hatched, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a circular central medallion bearing the arms of Bavaria within a circular oak wreath; the reverse with an escutcheon inscribed ‘XXIV DIENST. JAHRE’ on a laterally hatched ground within a circular oak wreath; diameter 21.51mm (0.85 inch); without ribbon. The Cross was instituted by King Ludwig II on 3 March 1865 in two classes, for 40 and 24 years’ service, to be presented to officers, medical officers and senior military officials. It was suppressed at the end of World War I in November 1918. A good period miniature.
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