Finnish Cross of Liberty 3rd class with red cross

Description

Finnish Cross of Liberty 3rd class with red cross - 1939 (Vapaudenristin 3. luokka 1939 punaisen ristin kera). The Order of the Cross of Liberty was instituded on 4 March 1918, upon the initiative of General 'C.G. Mannerheim'. The Finnish artist 'Akseli Gallen-Kallela' was commissioned to design the Order's insignia with the swastika. The Cross of Liberty has a red ribbon when it is granted in wartime and a yellow ribbon when it is awarded in peacetime. The civil version was awarded with a red white-striped ribbon in 1939 and with the yellow red-striped ribbon from 1941 onwards This is the gold washed 3rd class of the order in the civil version with an enamelled red cross, complete with it's original red white-striped ribbon. The black cross is dated 1939 on the back. Approximately 48 pieces of this version have been awarded. Scarce original example in very good condition!