A medal that used to be given to German soldiers. First given in 1813 by King Friedrich Wilheim III of Prussia to soldiers that did something to merit an award during war against Napoleon. The design and name were recycled and used as an award all the way up to World War II.
Being a cross, it has obvious Christian influences. WWII-era versions had swastikas on them somewhere.
The general design is a cross with rather thick 'arms' of equal length that are somewhat stubby.
One would assume these are popular with folks that collect this sort of thing...