Italian C I L Medal, any info?

[Kev in Deva]

Recent aquisition here in Romania.

I believe Italian 1930's period, but stand to be corrected.

Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

[Kev in Deva]

Rear, plain no inscription or discernible maker mark.

Any info appreciated.

Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

it's the Merit Cross of the GIL or "Gioventù Italiana del Littorio", the fascist youth's para-military organization, of the type awarded to the "Giovani Fascisti" (youths between 18 and 21 years of age, both male and female).

Best wishes,

E.L.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Elmer,

many thanks for the information, it was a lucky pick-up here in Romania,

am I right in thinking there are variations, I seem to recall seeing a cross in red and in blue?

Kevin in Deva. :beer:

Edited November 14, 2011 by Kev in Deva

[Spasm]

Check this site

http://www.iagiforum.info/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12620

Spaz

[Kev in Deva]

So there are 9 in total in the series:-

1933

1 ONB smalto blu (piccola) = balilla

2 ONB smalto blu (grande) = avanguardista

3 ONB smalto celeste (piccola) = piccola italiana

4 ONB smalto celeste (grande) = giovane italiana

1937

5 GIL smalto amaranto = balilla

6 GIL smalto blu = avanguardista

7 GIL smalto rosso = piccola italiana

8 GIL smalto celeste = giovane italiana

9 GIL smalto nero = giovane fascista

Thanks for the link.

Kevin in Deva. :beer:

Edited November 15, 2011 by Kev in Deva

[JimZ]

I've seen dark blue, light blue and red....this is the first black one.

As I have never looked this up specifically I was glad to learn that this was "GIL" and not "CIL". I also never came across the "ONB" ones either!!!

Big thanks to Elmar and Spasm for the bacground info.

Jim :cheers: