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Bavaria: Militär-Verdienst-Kreuz 3. Klasse with Swords, Zinc, as from 1917/18. Established originally in 1866 by King Ludwig II. for the Austro Prussian War, the decoration was divided into several classes with and without swords, and also into a Militär-Verdienst-Orden, which was awarded to officers only This example is a late war production in Zinc with Iron Swords, and shortened original ribbon, as introduced around mid 1917, due to metal shortages, and also more befitting to wartime fieldgrey tones. Zinc is showing some slight oxidation in places, which should be removed to prevent progressive decay. Rare to find in zinc nowadays.

Kingdom of Württemberg, Wilhelmskreuz, 1915 Bronze, later of blackened zinc (Kriegsmetall). The W monogram is for König Wilhelm II. of Württemberg, ruled 1892-1918. There were four types First type as depicted, had a plain reverse with an empty wreath, was issued for services to public welfare another version has the words, KRIEGS VERDIENST in two lines within the wreath, awarded for services, civil and military the next version as above and with crossed swords between the arms of the cross the final version was a pinback cross with crossed swords with a cutout crown mounted above the cross Last two versions described were for active war service in the face of the enemy, the pinback with crown for officers only. These decorations are now quite rare, the last version was only awarded about 900 times.

Grand Duchy of Baden Cross for War Welfare Service. This decoration was first awarded in 1870 for war service for civilians and military, mainly in welfare and with the Badisches Rotes Kreuz. Reintroduced in 1916. The decoration was at first made in gilded bronze, but shortly afterwards in zinc with a fine gilt finish, later in zinc with no gilded finish. It was awarded in two versions, the version shown, and a further version with oak wreath between the arms of the cross - Kreuz für Kriegsfürsorge mit Eichenkranz. The cross bears in the central medallion a cross as with the Red Cross symbol, to the left and right, 1914 and 1916 respectively. The bottom section of the cross has the heraldic shield of Baden, to the top arm is the crown of Baden. The reverse medallion bears the crowned F cypher for Grand Duke Friedrich II. of Baden. Example shown is in zinc, the gilt finish has migrated over the years, as often with zinc decorations. A further example on an original ladies ribbon, some of the gilding has remained to the edges of the cross.

An old example of a Mecklenburg-Schwerin Dienstauszeichnung for 9 years long service, in this form, awarded 1868-1913. This cross is in copper bronze, and was originally coated with a clear finish, making the metal bright. As from 1913, these were fire-gilded. The averse shows the crowned monogram of Friedrich Franz, Großherzog von Mecklenburg . FFGvM, the reverse has the latin IX for nine years long service. Decoration on correct, replaced ribbon. Landwehr-Dienstauszeichnung 2. Klasse, 1913-18. Ribbon missing.

Shown here is a selection of Territorial long service awards of various German States - Landwehr-Diensauszeichnung 2nd class, which was awarded until 1913, after which new decoraions in form of a medal appeared. The Landwehr.Dienstauszeichnung was awarded after many years of good service with the Reserve or Landwehr, and was worn on the right upper breast. It could also be worn with civilian dress. Each state had its own decoration. From left to right, Prussia, Bavaria (blue/white) Saxony and Württemberg bottom row: Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The Prussian decoration is by far the most common. Other states are getting rare. The decoration was of coloured woven ribbon on a metal clasp, usually with a pinback.. The ribbon usually had the monogramm of its sovereign between two Landwehr crosses. Unfortunately not a brilliant photo, as you can't quite make out the Bavarian decoration, whose ribbon was quite pale anyway. This had "L.II." between two crosses.