The Distinguished Service Cross was first awarded during the First World War
the centre reverse presents a machine gun surrounded by the words SIG (for 5th Signal battalion)
in form of a bill issued to the “starving German Volk”
presumably from shrinkage
NEBST NACHTRÄGEN” (“STATUES OF THE ROYAL SAXON ALBERT ORDER OF 21 DECEMBER 1850
Bavaria, Kingdom. A Military Merit Cross, Iii Class With Swords And Custom Case, By Weiss & Co. Newly Listed The Distinguished Service Cross was(Militrverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Schwertern und Etui). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1913 1918 issue). Constructed of coppered bronze, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Maltese Cross with pebbled arms, the obverse with a raised central monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a stylized belt and buckle bearing a raised inscription of MERENTI (MERIT), the twelve oclock arm with a crossed sword