Grand Cross Star. Highly convex breast star, 95 mm., with superimposed gilt and silver smooth rays; the centre with red enamelled, pointed cross with swords between the arms red enamelled medallion with gilt, white enamelled royal monogram, white enamelled outer circlet with Cyrillic Order’s Motto “For Military Merit” in gold lettering, green enamelled oak and laurel wreath, maker’s mark "Johann Schwerdtner - Wien", the reverse with four nuts to retain the obverse’s parts, broad vertical pin. 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, 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, A superb star, in mint condition! I R!