United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
irn43004
English
a : 2.375 x 1.750 x 0.250 in. (6.032 x 4.445 x 0.635 cm.)
b : 0.500 x 2.375 x 3.875 in. (1.27 x 6.032 x 9.843 cm.)
c : 0.500 x 2.375 x 3.500 in. (1.27 x 6.032 x 8.89 cm.)
a. Copper colored metal alloy 8 pointed Maltese cross style medal with an embossed center medallion. The front design features an ornate L cipher for King Ludwig II topped by an imperial crown within a circular band in the form of a buckled belt; within the band are scroll designs and a Latin word. The reverse is embossed with a Bavarian crowned rampant lion within a circular band in the form of a buckled belt; within the band are scroll designs and 1866, the year the award was created. Two crossed and tied swords with detailed hilts are riveted to the upper arm of the cross, between the peaks, upon on a pair of curved scrolls which have an attached ball pierced to hold the suspension ring. b. Rectangular, wooden base with a broken back hinge where it was attached to a box lid (c); a thin rectangle of wood is attached to the metal hinge plate with 3 nails. It is covered with blue plastic coated paper textured to resemble leather. The front side has a rectangular metal bracket with a knob for a latch. The interior has a molded insert covered in dark blue velvet and white ridged cardboard lining the sides. c. Rectangular, wooden lid with a broken back hinge where it was attached to a box base (b). It is covered with blue plastic coated paper textured to resemble leather. There is pressed silver lettering on the exterior top. The front side has a rectangular metal bracket with a hinged scallop shaped latch with a center hole. The interior has a padded insert covered with dark blue satin with a thin black ribbon strap and a circular maker’s mark stamped in gold ink.
Medals, German (lcsh)
Updated 3 years ago
Military Merit Cross 3rd Class with Swords and fitted case of issue awarded to Maier Firnbacher in 1916 for bravery while serving in the German Army during World War I. Maier was a cattle trader in Straubing, Germany, when Hitler came to power in 1933. Jews were forbidden to practice certain professions and, in 1936, Maier's trading license was revoked. In 1938, he was forced to sell his farmland at a loss to a non-Jew. He got immigration visas for the United States for himself, his wife, Ida, and their 8 year old son, Manfred, then was arrested during Kristallnacht on November 10. He was r...