Italy Italian Fronte Russo Badge. Original or reproduction?

[Malko]

Hello Gents

I would like to know your opinion about this Italian Fronte Russo Badge.

Is it original or fake?

Thanks in advance

[ARDITO]

ORIGINAL, Very nice.

Regards, Luca

[Malko]

Hello Luca

Thanks for your post !

I bought this badge from e-bay but i cannot find any information at internet to identify if its original.

Also i couldnt load here more pictures and with higher resolution.

Do you have any kind of information about the original Fronte Russo badges ?

Thanks a lot

Regards

Nikos

[Kev in Deva]

Some comments found online with regards these:-

There are two versions, which ones like yours and with a vertical pin (on your own as you see there are slots). pin with the vertical ones are more rare and are mostly delivered during the campaign of Russia. Italy, confident of winning in these times of war also produced with the cross pin (easier to assemble), but were generally given to veterans

Italian FRONTE-RUSSO Badge

The so-called Italian FRONTE-RUSSO honor badge was awarded in March 1943 to all those troops that served on the Eastern Front from 22 June 1941 to 5 June 1943. The badge was also awarded to Germans attached to the CSIR and 8th Army Corps. This attractive silver color badge shows the wreath with laurels (representing heroism) on the right side and thorns (representing suffering) on the left side, both touching the knot of Savoy at the top. The center of the badge shows two Cossack sabers crossing. At the base is a ribbon with the inscription "FRONTE RUSSO" highlighted in blue.

On the reverse of the badge was the name and address of the manufacturing company "F. M. LORIOLI FRATELLI, VIA F. BRONZETTI 25, MILANO" and the manufacturing pattern number "MODELLO DEPOSITATO NO. 38." The badge was attached to the left pocket of the uniform via a pin. Originally there was a needle pin with a catch that was placed in vertical position, but was later removed and instead replaced by a safety pin that follow the contour lines of one of the sabers. This die cast badge was sold for 6 Lira and was available directly from the only authorized manufacturing company the Lorioli Brothers. It came with a brown cellophane paper showing the manufacturer�s logo and address.

http://axis101.bizla...lianAwards1.htm

and pictures of many items at:-

https://www.google.ro/search?q=Italian+Fronte+Russo+Badge.&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=2mz&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvnsfd&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=c0OQUPqxMYbdsgbcwYCIBw&ved=0CEcQsAQ&biw=1016&bih=574

Kevin in Deva.

[Malko]

Hello Kevin

Sorry for my delay to thank you for your post.

I am still not yet sure about the originality of my Fronte Russo badge. Let me tell you why.

I bought this Fronte Russo badge from e-bay having in mind already that information from the link that you post me. The item was very similar to this at //axxis101.bilzand.com item and also very well detailed in both sides.

But after short time many Badges appear again at e-bay without even some small differences (small scars or damages at surface and pins) like somebody produce them now days.

So I need the opinion from someone who knows first if this badge was faked and second to be able to recognize the original from reproduction.

I also wonder how many of those badges issued as a total from F. M. LORIOLI FRATELLI.

Here you can find close up pictures with higher resolution from my badge.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/axis-militaria/italian-fronte-russo-badge-original-or-fake-228554/

At the last picture looks like the blue paint is not so well applied inside the letters (?!)

I hope soon or late to have an answer

Thanks again for your time and help

Nikos

[claudio2574]

Hello, I also believe that your badge is good.

Not having it into my hand, the only way to give an opinion is to watch at the details of the back. They are quite similar to the ones of good items, while the fakes usually have some suspected bubbles.

The position of the clip (vertical or cross) is not relevant, neither the blue paint applied out of its space.

There is no official diploma for this badge, only a generic one with the speech of General Messe, without the name of the recipient:

A quite similar badge is STILL in the list of the official badges for the Italian Army. The only difference is in the size, which is smaller.

Here is the link to the official web site of the Italian Army:

http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Equipaggiamenti/Militaria/Distintivi/IDistintivi/DistintiviRicordo/Pagine/default.aspx

[Malko]

Hello Claudio

Thank you very much for the informations !

The diploma looks grate !

It could help if i post some detailed pics from the back side of the badge?

I will appreciate it if you can have a closer look and give me your opinion.

Regards

Nikos

[claudio2574]

Let's try. I'm not the top expert of this badge, but I can compare with mine which is good for sure

[Malko]

Ok. Thanks !

[Malko]

More

[Malko]

Last 2

[claudio2574]

It looks very close to mine, which comes from a trusted vendor. My opinion is that it is good.

[Malko]

For one more time thank you Claudio !!

I am happy to know that my badge is original !