ORDER OF KARAGEORGE CROSS (Serbia-Montenegro) 4th Class awarded for military service. Third Republic. 29931

ORDER OF KARAGEORGE CROSS (Serbia-Montenegro) 4th class awarded for military service. Third Republic. 29931

Cross in gilt and enamel. Beveled rounded pattee cross, white enamel branches connected by fourteen gilt rays, all on two crossed swords. Central medallion on the obverse with blue enameled background featuring the Serbian coat of arms in white and crimson enamel, surrounded by a white enamel scroll with golden letters "за вба8 и слобод8 1804" (For Faith and Freedom 1804). Central medallion on the reverse with a crimson enameled background displaying the royal eagle of Serbia in white and red enamel, surrounded by a dark blue enamel scroll with "петар 1 1904" (Peter I 1904) in gilt. The Cross is topped with a green-white-red enameled gilt crown.
Total height 5.8 cm, cross diameter 3.7 cm.
Scarlet ribbon.

Presented in its scarlet paper-covered cardboard case lined with black velvet and white silk marked "Arthus Bertrand Beranger & Magdelaine 46 rue de Rennes Paris."

Russia.
Serbia-Montenegro.
Good condition, with chips in the scrolls.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Order of the Star of Karageorge, in Serbian Орден Карађорђеве звезде, was an honor instituted by Peter I of Serbia, king of Serbia, on January 1, 1904, in the Serbian kingdom proclaimed on February 22, 1882 (March 5, 1882, in the Gregorian calendar), replacing the Order of Milos the Great due to the change from the Obrenović dynasty to the Karageorge dynasty.
This Order was intended to reward outstanding civil and military services.
The insignia consists of a four-armed cross enameled in white and connected by gold or silver rays depending on the class, with the center bearing, on the obverse, the coat of arms of the Kingdom on a blue enamel background with the inscription "for honor and freedom" and the date 1904. On the reverse side is the white Serbian eagle above the name of the founder, Peter I, and the date 1904. The insignia is suspended from a golden crown. The military model features crossed swords between the arms of the cross. The ribbon is red in times of war and red bordered with white in times of peace.
The Order consists of four classes plus a gilt bronze cross for non-commissioned officers.
Many French military personnel were decorated with this Order when France fought alongside Serbia (and not against it, as it is today). This is why the Flag of the 2nd Zouaves Regiment bears this Order.
Ranks:
Knight Grand Cross,
Grand Officer,
Commander,
Officer,
Knight.
The Order of the Star of Karageorge had a military division starting from May 28, 1915, recognizable by the wearing of two crossed swords between the crown and the eagle heads. It was reserved for officers who had shown bravery in combat. Louis Franchet d'Espèrey was one of those decorated with this honor.