The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Reuss Silver Merit Medal with Swords. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The monogram 'HR' surmounted by a crown with a beaded edge around the circumference. Reverse: The inscription 'FUR VERDIENST' (For Merit) with in a laurel wreath tied at the base with a bow with a beaded edge around the circumference. The medal is fitted with crossed swords with a loose suspension ring and a piece of 34 mm yellow ribbon which has 3 mm red (inner) and 3 mm black (outer) edge stripes inset by 1 mm.
Associated with the Princely Reuss Honor Cross were several merit medals, meant to reward lower ranking civil servants and enlisted military personnel. The Silver Merit Medal was apparently established in the 1885 amendment of the Honor Cross statutes. A Golden Merit Medal was added in 1897. In 1909, consistent with the revisions to the Honor Cross, swords were authorized for both medals and a crown was authorised as a higher distinction of the Golden Merit Medal (there was no similar provision for a Silver Medal with Crown). In 1915 the yellow with red and black edge stripes 'war ribbon' was authorised for the medals. The Golden Merit Medal was intended for non-commissioned officers while the Silver Merit Medal was for lance corporals and privates. This medal forms part of a collection assembled by the Memorial in the 1920s for display.
Reuss Gold Merit Medal with Swords. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The monogram 'HR' surmounted by a crown with a beaded edge around the circumference. Reverse: The inscription 'FUR VERDIENST' (For Merit
Waldeck-Pyrmont Silver Merit Medal with Swords. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The letters 'GV' (Georg Viktor), in Gothic script, surmounted by a crown. Reverse: The inscription 'FUR VERDIENST' (For meri
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Silver War Merit Medal with swords on the suspender. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The bust of Carl Eduard facing right with the inscription 'CARL EDUARD HERZOGV SACHSEN COBURG U GOTHA
Wurttemburg Merit Cross with Swords. A silver cross pattée convex with gold swords between the arms. Obverse: A crown over 'W' (Wilhelm) on a central disc. Reverse: 'VERDIENST *' on a central disc. Th
Waldeck-Pyrmont Merit Cross, Fourth Class with Swords. Unnamed as issued. A Maltese cross with swords between the arms. Obverse: A black enamel eight pointed star with a red cross on a white field in
Saxe-Weimar Silver General Honour Medal with Swords. Unnamed as issued. Obverse: The bust of Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst, facing left, with the inscription 'WILHELM ERNST GROSSHERZOG VON SACHSEN' around