Tim B Posted October 30, 2010 Posted October 30, 2010 This is a really interesting medal which seems to have several varieties in both the medals as well as the ribbons. If you got em, post em! Tim Here's a WW1 version by maker S. Johnson:
Tim B Posted October 30, 2010 Author Posted October 30, 2010 Another WW1 version, this one marked M. Lorioli & Castelli:
Tim B Posted October 30, 2010 Author Posted October 30, 2010 (edited) The maker's mark: Edited October 30, 2010 by Tim B
Tim B Posted October 30, 2010 Author Posted October 30, 2010 (edited) What a great design! Almost has that Captain America look to the reverse! So, let's see some other ones! Tim Edited October 30, 2010 by Tim B
IrishGunner Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 According to Hendrik's (reliable) website, this version without any dates on the reverse was created in January 1944, for those that crossed over to Allied liberated territory in Italy before September 1943 and supported the Italian National Government. I've read on other sites that the version without dates is a "modern restrike." This version also has no "maker's mark." Thoughts from GMIC experts? There was also an official version with 1940-1945 (in Roman numerals) for WW2.
claudio2574 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Here is the medal for the volunteers in AOI (Africa Orientale Italiana), from Morbiducci:
claudio2574 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 For th Spain war there are several variants, because at the date of its institution (1940) the model was not defined. 1st type:
claudio2574 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Second world war, from Morbiducci, and its diploma. Please not that the volunteers medal for WW2 is far more scarce than the WW1 one.
IrishGunner Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 For th Spain war there are several variants, because at the date of its institution (1940) the model was not defined. 1st type: Claudio, did you read my comments in Post #9? Hendrik's site states the the version without dates was for support to the Italian National Government after 1943. Another site stated it's a "modern restrike." You are saying it's a "1st type" for volunteers in the Spanish Civil War... Are there any references regarding this type without dates?
claudio2574 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 In these days I'm on vacation, typing on the desk of the reception of the hotel (the WiFi signal is NOT the best I've ever found...). When back home I will dig into my books. Stay tuned.
IrishGunner Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 In these days I'm on vacation, typing on the desk of the reception of the hotel (the WiFi signal is NOT the best I've ever found...). When back home I will dig into my books. Stay tuned. Well, enjoy that vacation and put down the computer!
claudio2574 Posted January 4, 2014 Posted January 4, 2014 Lot of time when wife/daughter are dressing/undressing...
claudio2574 Posted January 5, 2014 Posted January 5, 2014 Well, back at home. Three different models with three different institutions. 27 Jan 1944: PER L'ITALIA / VOLONTARI DI GUERRA (no dates), Red ribbon (we call it "rosso solferino"). Given to all the soldiers who crossed the lines to join the Royal Army. Its correct name is "medaglia di benemerenza per l'attraversamento delle linee nemiche". This is a royal medal, even if it has no royal signes. There are three variants: P.Morbiducci / F.M. Lorioli e Castelli P.Morbiducci / S.Johnson Milano P.Morbiducci S.J. / S.Johnson Milano 3 may 1945: PER L'ITALIA / VOLONTARI DI GUERRA (no dates), Red ribbon (we call it "rosso solferino") with red/white/green small stripes at both edges and the letters V L ("Volontario per la Liberta'", in metal or embroidered) in the middle. Given to the military who joined the "Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale" fighting for at least three months of being wounded. Honour badge for the freedom volunteers patriots. Actually it is NOT a medal, but a ribbon only, even if the ribbon has been quite often used with the same medal of the first type. Another royal object without any royal signes. 21 Apr 1948: PER L'ITALIA / VOLONTARI DI GUERRA MCMXL-MCMXLV. Same red ribbon of the first medal and of the WW1 medal. It is the only "true" medal for the volunteers - all of them - having fought during the whole time of the war. It's a republican medal absolutely equal to the royal one, but the years on the reverse. Two variants: P.Morbiducci / Z (by the mint) P.Morbiducci / years in digits (more common) Actually there are no modern restrikes for this medal, as far as I know. All these infos come from the book of Bini
IrishGunner Posted January 5, 2014 Posted January 5, 2014 Thanks, claudio; great info! Unfortunately, my maker mark is too worn to read. Even without the virdirgis.
claudio2574 Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 Hi RRA227, could you post a wider picture of the third medal, front and back, please?
claudio2574 Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 This is the first type of the medal for the volunteers in East Africa (I don't have it), which uses the same ribbon of mine. It was instituted on 26 oct 1939. Three variants exist: P.MORBIDUCCI / S.JOHNSON MILANO P.MORBIDUCCI / CGSA (not bronze, it was in poor war medal, "zama" in Italian, a zinc alloy) no marks I guess that your is the first variant
RRA227 Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 Thanks for the info and glad you like it. I have a bunch of A.O.I.medals/badges. Rich A. in Pa.
Hendrik Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 According to Hendrik's (reliable) website, this version without any dates on the reverse was created in January 1944, for those that crossed over to Allied liberated territory in Italy before September 1943 and supported the Italian National Government. I've read on other sites that the version without dates is a "modern restrike." This version also has no "maker's mark." Thoughts from GMIC experts? There was also an official version with 1940-1945 (in Roman numerals) for WW2. For confirmation of the existence of this medal I refer to Alessandro Brambilla's book "Le Medaglie Italiane negli ultimi 200 anni", Volume II, where it is described on page 820. The award of the 1923 Volunteer Medal was extended to those persons mentioned above on 27-1-1944 but actual awards seem to have only been made following a Ministerial Decree of 10 May 1945 ... Regards, Hendrik
Hendrik Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 3 may 1945: PER L'ITALIA / VOLONTARI DI GUERRA (no dates), Red ribbon (we call it "rosso solferino") with red/white/green small stripes at both edges and the letters V L ("Volontario per la Liberta'", in metal or embroidered) in the middle. Given to the military who joined the "Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale" fighting for at least three months of being wounded. Honour badge for the freedom volunteers patriots. Actually it is NOT a medal, but a ribbon only, even if the ribbon has been quite often used with the same medal of the first type. Another royal object without any royal signes. The ribbon with a metallic VL device and the non-official medal :
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