The Order Pour le Mérite represents one of the most significant and prestigious military decorations in Prussian and German history. This exceptional historic award was originally instituted on June 6, 1740 by King Frederick II of Prussia, known as Frederick the Great, and remained the highest military decoration for valor of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire until the end of World War I.
The present object represents a fascinating aspect of the order's history: a blank from an order factory, dated around 1925. This is a cross made of base metal, stamped on both sides but not yet cut out, thus documenting the manufacturing process. Such workshop relics are rare testimonies to the artisanal production of military decorations during the interwar period.
The creation of such replacement pieces in the 1920s had concrete historical reasons. During World War I (1914-1918), a total of 687 Pour le Mérite decorations were awarded, of which 533 went to army officers and 154 to aviation officers. The most famous recipients included figures such as Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary “Red Baron,” as well as Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff. These officers wore their decorations daily as part of their uniform, which inevitably led to signs of wear.
The characteristic design of the Pour le Mérite consisted of a blue enameled Maltese cross with golden balls at the ends and golden Prussian eagles between the arms of the cross. The enameling was technically demanding and simultaneously sensitive to mechanical stress. Daily wear caused scratches, chips, and other damage to the enamel surface, which compromised the aesthetic value and dignity of the decoration.
After the end of World War I and the November Revolution of 1918, the awarding of the Pour le Mérite ceased. The Weimar Republic officially abolished the monarchical order system. Nevertheless, recipients of previously awarded decorations were permitted to continue wearing them, which was regulated by corresponding provisions. Many former officers who were transferred to the newly founded Reichswehr were proud bearers of the Pour le Mérite and wanted to continue displaying this highest decoration.
This led to a particular demand for replacement pieces in the 1920s. Traditional order factories that had already manufactured such decorations during the Imperial period continued to produce examples for recipients whose originals were damaged. These replacement pieces were not forgeries in the true sense, but legitimate replacements for authorized wearers. Production followed the same artisanal techniques and standards as during the Imperial era.
The manufacturing process typically began with stamping the cross in base metal on a larger metal sheet. Only afterward was the actual cross cut out, the surfaces polished, gold-plated, and finally enameled. The present blank documents precisely this intermediate stage before cutting, making it an extraordinary collector's piece and historical document.
During the period of National Socialism, the Pour le Mérite acquired new significance. The bearers of this Imperial decoration were instrumentalized for propaganda purposes and presented as symbols of military tradition. Officers of the Wehrmacht who wore the Pour le Mérite enjoyed special prestige. This intensified the desire of many recipients to present their decoration in perfect condition, further increasing demand for replacement pieces.
The legal situation regarding the wearing and reproduction of orders was complex. While the manufacture of orders for unauthorized persons was illegal, the production of replacement pieces for legitimate bearers was tolerated. Renowned order factories such as Godet & Sohn in Berlin or Rothe in Vienna were known for the quality of their work and supplied recipients with replacement pieces even after 1918.
From a collector's and historical perspective, such blanks are particularly valuable because they document the production process and provide insights into the artisanal manufacture of these prestigious decorations. They are considerably rarer than finished orders, as they normally did not leave the workshop. Their appearance on the collector's market is usually the result of workshop dissolutions or estates of order manufacturers.
The Pour le Mérite was not reintroduced after 1945. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the wearing of historical orders is permitted under certain conditions, with the Pour le Mérite being regarded as a historical document. The decoration remains a fascinating testimony to Prussian-German military history and a sought-after collector's item that reflects the complex history of the 20th century.
