FINLAND – Cross of Liberty, 4th Class with Swords, 1918
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Description
FINLAND – Cross of Liberty, 4th Class with Swords, 1918
(Vapaudenristi IV Luokka Miekkojen Kera, 1918)
Instituted on 4 March 1918 by General C.G.E. Mannerheim during the Finnish War of Independence, the Cross of Liberty became the first national military decoration of independent Finland. Designed by the renowned Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, the award was created to recognize bravery, military merit, and distinguished service during the struggle for Finnish independence. The order formed the foundation of Finland’s national honours system and remains one of the country’s most prestigious military decorations.
The decoration consists of a blackened cross pattée bearing a heraldic rose at its centre. The reverse is dated “1918”, denoting the year of the Finnish War of Independence. The suspension takes the form of a laurel wreath surmounted by crossed swords, signifying a wartime award for military service. The ribbon is red with two narrow white central stripes, a distinctive pattern associated with awards granted to members of the White forces during the Civil War.
The 4th Class Cross of Liberty with Swords was awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers, enlisted men, and civilians who rendered notable military service or demonstrated courage in support of the White cause during the conflict of 1918. The crossed swords indicated that the award was granted for wartime merit rather than purely civilian or peacetime service.
The Finnish War of Independence, fought between January and May 1918, followed Finland’s declaration of independence from Russia in December 1917. Under the leadership of General Mannerheim, the White Army defeated the Red forces, securing the future of the newly independent Finnish state. Decorations awarded during this period occupy a special place in Finnish military history as tangible reminders of the nation’s struggle for sovereignty.
The example illustrated retains its original ribbon suspension and wartime configuration. The blackened finish remains substantially preserved, while the heraldic rose, laurel wreath, and crossed swords display clear detail. The reverse date “1918” is sharply defined. The ribbon exhibits age-related wear and minor fraying consistent with period use and long-term storage.
Today, the 1918 issue Cross of Liberty is among the most historically significant Finnish military decorations. Awards from the War of Independence period are particularly sought after by collectors due to their direct association with the founding of the Finnish Republic and the establishment of its national honours system.
Condition: Very Fine; original finish substantially preserved with light wear to raised surfaces; details and date clear and well defined; suspension wreath and swords intact; original ribbon present with moderate age-related wear, minor fraying, and creasing consistent with period issue and long-term storage.
