BACKGROUND: The medal was instituted by King Wilhelm I on 20 September 1866 following the victorious war against Austria and its German allies. The 'Battle of Königgrätz' was the decisive battle of the Austro-Prussian War, in which the Kingdom of Prussia defeated the Austrian Empire. Taking place near Königgrätz (Hradec Králové) and Sadowa (Sadová) in Bohemia on 3 July 1866.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 35mm x 35mm cross shows the crowned Prussian royal eagle on a cannon, surrounded by the script 'König-Grätz, den 3, Juli, 1866', the other side of the cross shows the cypher 'WR' for King Wilhelm I, circumscribed with 'Preussens Siegreichem Heere' (Prussia's victorious armies), the Prussian crown on the upper arm of the cross, the left, right and lower arms inscribed with 'Gott war mit uns, Ihm sei die Ehre' (God was with us, to Him be the glory). The medal is complete with ribbon