Beautiful and rare original World War I (1) Saxe-Meiningen Medal for Merit in War in GREAT condition! The Medal for Merit in War (German: Medaille für Verdienst im Kriege) was a military decoration of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, established during World War I on 7 March 1915 by Bernhard III, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. For officers, there was the Cross for Merit in War, while the Medal was for enlisted personnel. A circular medal constructed of bronze, the obverse bears a central raised cross paty with a central monogram of Duke Bernard III, with a crown at the 12 o’clock arm, encompassed by an oak leaf wreath with ribbon throughout, the reverse bears a cross paty with a central Saxon coat of arms, circumscribed by “FÜR VERDIENST IM KRIEGE 1914/15″ (“FOR MERIT IN WAR 1914/15″). Medal is in great condition for it’s age. This medal is from the esteemed collection of Allan Zakrzewski, WWI historian, member of Cross and Cockade International and Orders and Medals Society of America. He was also a Charter member of The League of World War One Aviation Historians. In 2001, he became an editor for Over the Front quarterly magazine and while a member of the Gulf Cost Chapter of the League of WWI Aviation Historians, he earned the Thornton D. Hooper Award for Excellence for his article on Monoplane Fighters of World War I. In 2007, he received his second Thornton D. Hooper Award for An Evening with Rodney Williams, 17th Aero Squadron. Much of his collection is on display at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Eugene McDermott Library. Please feel free to ask questions and make an offer!