Prince Carl Fredric of Prussia
founded on November 03, 1859, a Prussian court hunting
order, the so called "Der sehr edle Orden vom weißen
Hirschen Sancti Huberti" (The Noble Order of the White
Stag Sancti Huberti). This order was only given to a
very small royal group and existed until the death of it
founder in 1885.
As an
absolute fan and supporter of the hunt in Prussia Kaiser
Wilhelm II revitalized the royal order immediately after
his enthronization on April 08, 1889. The orders
statutes were updated and the order being awarded in
four classes.
In memory to the Court Hunting
Order and to celebrate the 50th jubilee of its
foundation Kaiser Wilhelm II founded the Royal Court
Hunting Badge on November 03, 1909. The badge was only
awarded on the jubilee day to those being a member of
the Order. The badge was financed from his majesties
funds and produced in exactly 26 pieces by the court
jeweler Sy & Wagner. There are 3 grades of this badge
that share its basic design.
The 3rd class badge in
bronze. The reverse shows the manufacturers mark
S&W for Sy & Wagner.
The first class was made of gilt
silver leaving the deer head silver colored. The second
class had a darkened silver wreath with the light silver
stag head. The 3rd class as shown above was made from
bronze. All badges have the green enameling surrounding
the stag's head.
Here
is the S&W manufacturers mark as combined with the
silver content mark for badges of the first and
second class. It also features the official half
moon and crown mark for pieces made from silver.
All together only 26 badges were
awarded. This corresponded exactly with the number of
existing members plus the protector of the order -
Kaiser Wilhelm II. Two first class badges, 9 second and
17 third class badges were awarded. Sy & Wagner did only
deliver the exact amount of badges. The badge itself
could only be worn on the left breast pocket of the
official uniform of the court's hunting society as shown
below.
