Original, Vintage--Original, Vintage Type 2 National Order of Military Merit with Original Triangular
War Ribbon; it is also called Order of Merit, Order for Military Merit, and Order of National Military Merit.
The Order was established May 1900 as a Grand Cross and in six classes and
awarded to military personnel for loyal service and merits in the time of both
peace and war. This awarded for battlefield distinction to platoon commanders--lieutenants, NCOs, and sometimes for war veterans.
This example of the V class (Knight) is on a ribbon of sky blue, bordered with a wide black and thinner white stripes on either side. It is an urdy cross (about 50 mm), with crossed swords between the arms, on laterally-pierced ball suspension. The face is a circular central medallion bearing the monogram for Ferdinand I, institutor of the Order, within a ring inscribed ‘ЭА ВОЕННА ЗАСЛУГА’ (for Military Merit) and at bottom a star with a dot on each side. The reverse is a circular central medallion bearing the Bulgarian lion rampant with a shield with the Saxon coat of arms imposed on its breast within a ring inscribed with the date ‘2 ABГУCTЪ 1891’ (2 August 1891) and star with a dot on each side of the date 1891.
Condition is near excellent w/ a small chip on tip of upper 9 o'clock arm obverse. Photos may show reflections from lighting.
From my personal collection. You will receive the medal in photos.