GERMAN WWI 1914 IRON CROSS 2ND CLASS AND BAVARIAN MERENTI CROSS MEDAL BAR

This an original German WW1 ribon bar with 2 original medals and ribbons.  Comes with the following:

1914 IRON CROSS 2ND CLASS

The basic design of the WW1 IRON CROSS 2nd CLASS has the front of the cross bearing the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram. The back of the cross bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath and FW the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. 

BAVARIAN MERENTI CROSS OF MILITARY MERIT WITH SWORDS, 3RD CLASS, 1913.

The Order of Military Merit was instituted in 1866 in 5 Classes. In 1905 the Cross of Military Merit was revised initially to 2 Classes and in 1913 to 3 classes. Each class was awarded according to the rank of the recipient and could be issued with or without swords, for peace or war time period, and crown, for 2nd award received.   The old non-enameled 2nd Class became the 3rd Class and was changed from silver to bronze. The old 1st Class became the 2nd Class. The new 1st Class was identical to the 2nd Class except that it was gilt rather than silver.

This is the third class award, indicating it was received by a low rank soldier, and the swords indicate it was awarded during wartime.