Grand Cross Set. Sash Badge, 108.5 x 75 mm., gilt Bronze with red enameled, pointed cross with swords between the arms red enameled medallion with gilt, white enameled royal monogram, white enameled outer circlet with Cyrillic Order’s Motto “For Military Merit” in gold lettering, green enameled oak and laurel wreath to signify the award in time of war (like the Imperial Austrian “Kriegsdekoration” or War Decoration, red enameled reverse medallion with the gilt, crowned lion within the white enameled outer circlet with the cyrillic date “2. August 1891” in gold lettering, with original, full length sash with bow and rosette. Breast Star, 95 mm., highly convex with superimposed gilt and silver smooth rays, the centre with red enameled, pointed cross with swords between the arms red enameled medallion with gilt, white enameled royal monogram, white enameled outer circlet with Cyrillic Order’s Motto “For Military Merit” in gold lettering, green enameled oak and laurel wreath, the reverse with four nuts to retain the obverse’s parts, broad vertical pin, no maker’s mark, but almost certainly of Austrian manufacture. A piece of the best quality and imposing appearance, dating from the beginning of the 2nd World War, destined to reward the highest merits of high-ranking officers. This Order was instituted on May 18th, 1900 as a new branch of the National Order of Merit, this, instituted on August 2nd, 1891, to reward exceptional merits of officers in the Armed Forces, as previously said in the description of this piece, a further distinction in the time of war, an oak-and laurel wreath was instituted, inspired by the Austrian “Kriegsdekoration”. The order could have been awarded also to foreigners. In most rare occasions, as a special grace of the Sovereign, the order was awarded with brilliants. I R!